Kottayam: Congress party on Wednesday kick-started its door-to-door campaign for the byelection to Puthuppally seat that fell vacant after the demise of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who represented the constituency for 53 consecutive years.
Congress announced the candidature of Oommen Chandy’s son Chandy Oommen on Tuesday, soon after the by-election date was announced for September 5.
Chandy Oommen, who is currently chairman of the Youth Congress’s national outreach cell, launched his campaign after offering prayers at Ommen Chandy’s tomb. He then visited various houses and places of worship and met people in person canvassing for his candidature.
“My father had lived his entire life for the Congress party. It is my responsibility to stand by the Congress party. People’s love for Oommen Chandy will reflect in this election,” he told reporters.
The party leadership also expressed confidence that Chandy’s son would retain the constituency with a record majority of votes.
Meanwhile, the ruling CPI(M) is yet to announce its candidate for the bypoll.
“Oommen Chandy had won by just a narrow margin last time. So, we are not scared about Chandy Oommen’s candidature this time,” CPI(M) central committee member A K Balan said.
He also alleged that the constituency was facing stagnation in terms of development as Chandy had represented it for over five decades.
However, Congress leader and MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan rejected the charges and stated that the people would vote against the “anti-people policies” of the Vijayan government.
“The LDF government is so unpopular, people will vote against its anti-people policies. We are confident that Congress will win by a decisive margin,” he said.
The opposition BJP said that they would finalise and announce their candidate this week.
Meanwhile, a local unit of the Congress has sent letters to the Election Commission and the district collector seeking postponement of the bypoll date as it falls amid the eight-day fast at the famous Manarcadu Church. The CPI(M) local leadership has also reportedly raised the same issue with the authorities.
The counting of votes for the September 5 bypoll will be held on September 8.
With inputs from PTI