Report Wire

Tag: kerala assembly elections

  • KV Thomas not going Left, swears religion in Sonia after Gehlot meet

    By Express News Service
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Beleaguered senior Congress chief Okay V Thomas informed TNIE on Saturday that the ball is now within the courtroom of the occasion central management after he shared his grievances with AICC observer and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Thomas, who got here to fulfill Gehlot right here as per the directive of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, claimed that he has neither requested for a celebration ticket within the coming meeting elections or a celebration submit. He stated he has full belief within the AICC management.

    If 74-year-old Thomas went in a huff to fulfill Gehlot displaying his displeasure on the media, he got here out of the assembly with a smile. He was upset with a piece of the media for allegedly cyber bullying him and felt that these journalists have the backing of group leaders. It is learnt that Thomas has taken up this situation earlier than the AICC delegation. Okay C Venugopal, AICC organising common secretary, and common secretary in control of the state Tariq Anwar have been additionally current on the assembly which lasted for quarter-hour. 

    Thomas informed TNIE that he didn’t meet them with a system in thoughts. He is anticipated to be appointed KPCC working president, it’s learnt. Okay Sudhakaran and Kodikunnil Suresh, each MPs, are the incumbent KPCC working presidents. Following the demise of former Wayanad MP M I Shanavas, one submit of KPCC working president has been mendacity vacant.

    “When your mother (of the party) asks you something, will the son disobey her? If Sonia Gandhi asks me something, I will never disobey her. On Friday when she telephoned me, she said that she was aware of my issues. It was as per her advice I met Gehlot on Saturday and told him about my grievances. Now the ball is in the AICC leadership’s court and I have complete trust in them,” stated Thomas.

    A supply near Thomas informed TNIE that Sonia Gandhi is eager on giving him a befitting submit, contemplating his seniority within the occasion at a time when the Left camp is attempting to poach him. At the identical time, she is conscious that if he goes to the LDF camp, it might ship out a unsuitable message to Christian neighborhood members who’re already upset with UDF. Later, CWC chief Oommen Chandy informed reporters right here that Thomas is a senior chief and can stay within the occasion.

  • Election manifesto: Shashi Tharoor to work together with youths in 5 districts

    Express News Service
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Shashi Tharoor, MP, has been included within the crew to organize the UDF’s election manifesto. The UDF committee has been visiting varied districts to elicit proposals from a variety of individuals. The choice to make use of Tharoor’s abilities was taken on the AICC-appointed election administration and technique committee’s assembly chaired by Oommen Chandy right here on Saturday. 

    Tharoor will likely be travelling throughout 5 districts to garner the general public’s views for bringing out a “people’s manifesto”. The AICC is eager on cashing in on Tharoor’s reputation among the many lots, particularly youths and college students. This is the primary time in Tharoor’s 12-year-old political stint as Thiruvananthapuram MP that the KPCC has introduced him to the forefront of state politics. 

    AICC organising normal secretary Ok C Venugopal andOpposition chief Ramesh Chennithala engrossed in aserious dialog as Oommen Chandy speaks toreporters after the primary sitting of the electionmanagement and technique committee of the KPCC inThiruvananthapuram on Saturday | Vincent PulickalA few months in the past, KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran had sought Tharoor’s clarification on the notorious letter addressed to Congress president Sonia Gandhi. It was Oommen Chandy who had ensured that Tharoor was included within the high-power technique committee.It must be recalled that each Chandy and Tharoor take pleasure in a particular rapport and he’s the one chief to deal with the previous chief minister as “OC chettan”. Tharoor is being delivered to the forefront at a vital juncture after the civic physique election losses the state Congress had suffered.

    “We will come up with a manifesto after eliciting the views and demands of a cross-section of people. The committee will hold its sittings at various centres. Tharoor will hold talks with youths and students in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Palakkad and Kozhikode districts,” stated Chandy.The UDF has already shaped an election manifesto committee with Benny Behanan as its convenor. The committee has been travelling throughout the state and holding talks with varied stakeholders to deliver out a people-friendly manifesto underneath the slogan, ‘Clean and good governance’. 

    Tharoor took to his Twitter deal with after the primary assembly of the technique committee saying, “Inspiring to see the commitment and focus of veteran leaders led by Oommen Chandy, Chennithala and Mullappally in the presence of AICC observers.” He has since returned to New Delhi. While Ok Muraleedharan, MP, didn’t attend the primary sitting because of official commitments at his Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency, former KPCC president V M Sudheeran too couldn’t attend as he’s present process ayurveda remedy for post-Covid well being points.

  • CPM feels LDF will proceed in energy, plans state excursions

    By Express News Service
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Close on the heels of the UDF planning its Kerala tour, the Left entrance can also be planning to launch its personal state-wide ‘yatra’. In truth, two excursions — from the north and south zones — will probably be launched from Thiruvananthapuram and Manjeshwar concurrently. The CPM management has assessed that going by the present state of affairs, LDF stands an excellent likelihood of continuous in workplace. 

    Though there are indications that the state secretaries of the CPM and CPI will lead the 2 Kerala excursions, which can likely occur in February, a closing choice is but to be made. The closing schedule of the Kerala excursions will probably be determined on the LDF meet on January 27.Meanwhile, CPM will start its home visits from Sunday. The visits by get together employees will go on until January 31 and are geared toward lending a ear to the plenty and collating their various opinions.

    The Left will proceed in energy, mentioned CPM state secretary in cost A Vijayaraghavan. He exhorted get together cadre to give attention to actions that may guarantee LDF’s continuity in energy. Addressing the media after the get together secretariat meet on Saturday, Vijayaraghavan mentioned the federal government has been finishing up varied pro-people actions and has by no means compromised on its stance towards communalism.

    “The UDF has been playing the politics of religion. It has compromised itself with both BJP and Jama’at-e-Islami. Never did the Opposition stood up for the common man. On the other hand, the Left has always resisted the politics of hate,” he mentioned. The CPM chief accused the UDF of making an attempt to sabotage the LDF authorities’s developmental initiatives by becoming a member of fingers with central investigation companies. He additionally indicated that the get together will subject extra freshers and children within the coming meeting elections. Vijayaraghavan mentioned the get together has set clear norms for collection of candidates.

  • Seat-sharing talks start in Left entrance, Jose might get 8-9 seats

    By Express News Service
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With simply weeks remaining for the meeting election notification, the Left Front has begun inside talks on seat sharing. With two new constituents — Kerala Congress Jose Ok Mani faction and LJD — within the fold, the LDF should go in for some severe permutations and combos this time round.

    A closing name on a possible break up in NCP too must be taken. There are indications that the Kerala Congress (M) might handle to get round eight to 9 seats from LDF this time. There are talks throughout the Left {that a} whole of 10 seats could possibly be put aside for the newly inducted allies. Accommodating the 2 current allies with out majorly upsetting the older ones is the most important problem earlier than the CPM.

    Last time, the Kerala Congress (M) — then a UDF accomplice — had contested in 15 seats, of which 11 have been by the Mani faction. The KC (M) is subsequently eyeing an analogous share.

    The LJD, as a UDF ally, too had contested in seven seats final time. The occasion is hopeful of getting a minimum of a few seats this time. Meanwhile the merger talks between the JDS and LJD are nonetheless on. Last time the JDS had bought 5 seats. If there’s a merger, it might then be straightforward for the Left entrance. “The Kerala Congress factions got six seats final time — 4 for Democratic Kerala Congress and one every for KC(B) and Scaria Thomas factions.

    The Jose faction could possibly be given round 8-9 seats,” mentioned a senior Left chief.Even as Pala seat stays a difficult difficulty between NCP and Kerala Congress, a bit of Left leaders really feel that the NCP does have a authentic declare over Pala. A doable break up in NCP will clearly replicate in seat sharing.

    Of the CPI seats, the KC(M) might stake declare for Irikkur and Kanjirappally seats. The CPM too might need to half with its seats.

    “The KC(M) wants Kanjirappally as it’s their sitting seat. Going by the same logic, it cannot claim the Pala seat. This will also be taken into consideration during seat allocation,” mentioned sources.However in view of the Left evaluation that the federal government might come again to energy, Left allies won’t overtly strike a dissenting notice.

  • Ashok Gehlot comes down on LDF, BJP

    By Express News Service
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who has been assigned as one of many three AICC observers within the state, got here down closely on the LDF and BJP. He mentioned that their agenda is to convey that there are points inside the social gathering and disputes among the many leaders in order to thwart the possibilities of Congress-led UDF returning to energy.

    Addressing the KPCC office-bearers’ assembly at Indira Bhavan right here, Gehlot in contrast the LDF authorities’s stance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s marketing campaign slogan ‘Congress Mukt Bharat.’

    Gehlot urged social gathering leaders to work unitedly in opposition to their political rivals. He unleashed his assault on BJP and RSS alleging that they’ve been attempting to wreck democracy. Hinting on the controversial subject of BJP searching for the assistance of Central companies together with the CBI, Gehlot mentioned efforts are on to topple the governments in Jharkhand and Maharashtra.

    “Every five years, either the LDF or the UDF government keeps coming to power in Kerala. Our fight is against the BJP. In West Bengal, the Congress and the CPM have joined hands. In Kerala, even if the LDF is voted to power, the main agenda of Modi is to see that it is Congress Mukt Bharat across the country,” mentioned Ashok Gehlot. He additionally urged social gathering staff to struggle the Left because the state of affairs in Kerala is completely different in comparison with West Bengal.

  • CPM could not subject 4 veterans this election

    Express News Service
    KOCHI: Veteran Communist leaders, together with Okay Suresh Kurup, MM Mani, S Sarma and CK Saseendran, are amongst sitting  CPM MLAs who’re anticipated to pave approach for brand spanking new faces within the upcoming Assembly elections because the ruling occasion is set to proceed the profitable method of native physique polls by fielding new and youthful faces.

    While ill-health is prone to drive Suresh Kurup, 65, a four-time MP and the sitting MLA from Ettumanoor, to steer clear of electoral politics, the occasion think-tank needs to subject a brand new face in Udumbanchola changing Mani, who’s at present the electrical energy minister within the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet, sources mentioned. Age can also be not in favour of Mani, who’s 77.Sarma, who has been representing Vypeen for six phrases, can also be probably to get replaced by a brand new face within the Assembly elections which is predicted to be held in April. The 66-year-old Communist chief, who didn’t discover a cabinet berth on this Left authorities, can also be not within the pink of well being, sources mentioned.

    Another sitting MLA who is probably going to get replaced by the CPM is Kalpetta MLA Saseendran. Though identified for his austere life and easy residing, sources mentioned he was discovered wanting by way of powerful implementation of the motion plan as a legislator. “He may be good as an area secretary and district committee member. But as a legislator you need different skill sets. There is also a feeling that he may lose if given the seat again,” mentioned the sources.

    Some of the opposite names who could also be fielded once more by the Communist occasion are B D Devassy, the Chalakudy MLA, and P Aisha Potty, the Kottarakkara MLA.“Except for the BJP, which is a newer and younger party, both the Congress and the CPM should be looking for younger and newer faces for the Assembly elections. The youth and the women should be represented in the Kerala Assembly in proportion to their population. So, it’s only natural that some of the sitting senior MLAs make way for young faces,” mentioned J Prabash, political observer and former Pro vice chancellor, Kerala University.

    New and younger facesThe younger leaders who’re prone to be fielded by the CPM embody SFI state secretary Sachin Dev and former SFI Ernakulam district president M B Shiny. Dev might be preventing from Kozhikode district although the constituency is to be determined later. Similarly, if issues fall in place, Shiny, the CPM space secretary, will contest from Vypeen. Former SFI state president Jaick C Thomas, who contested with out success towards Oommen Chandy in Puthupally, perhaps fielded once more this election, sources added.

  • Assembly polls: 2.67 crore voters in Kerala’s remaining checklist

    By Express News Service
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A complete of two.67 crore voters determine within the remaining electoral roll revealed by the Election Commission, forward of the Assembly election. These embody 1.37 crore feminine voters, 1.29 crore male voters and 221 transgender electors.Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Teeka Ram Meena informed reporters that 5.79 lakh new voters have been added over the previous one and a half months as a part of the abstract revision of electoral roll. The enrolment in voters checklist will proceed until 10 days previous to withdrawal of nomination by candidates. Such enrolments will probably be entered in a supplementary voters checklist, he added.

    The draft voters’ checklist revealed earlier had 2.63 crore voters. Of these, 1.56 lakh voters have been eliminated on account of dying, shifting of residence or double entry within the checklist, the CEO stated. Nearly 3 lakh voters within the 18-19 years age group additionally determine within the remaining voters’ checklist.

    A key spotlight of the voters’ checklist is that the variety of transgender voters has elevated from 74 within the 2019 Lok Sabha election to 221. “Earlier, transgender voters were reluctant to enrol in that category. Due to the support of the government and society, they are now eager to identify themselves as transgender voters,” Meena added.

    A gathering will probably be held with the well being division on January 23 to evolve the ultimate pointers referring to Covid protocol to be adopted. Guidelines on postal voting for senior residents above 80 years of age, differently-abled and repair voters will even be finalised within the assembly, stated Meena.

    78.24% voter turnout recorded in 7 wardsT’Puram: An common voter turnout of 78.24% was recorded in seven native physique wards the place polling was held on Thursday. The election was postponed in these wards following the dying of candidates. The polling share  is as follows: Parambimukku and Chola wards of Panmana grama panchayat in Kollam (85.38 and 79.18 respectively); PHC ward  of Chettikulangara grama panchayat in Alappuzha (76.3); municipal ward of Kalamassery municipality in Ernakulam (74,51); Pullazhi ward of Thrissur Corporation (81.82); Thathoorpoyyil ward of Mavoor grama panchayat in Kozhikode (86.1) and Thillankery ward of Kannur district panchayat (64.45). The counting of votes will probably be held on Friday (Jan 22) at 8 am, the State Election Commission has stated.

  • UDF to provide you with ‘folks’s manifesto’ for Kerala Assembly polls, says Chennithala

    By Express News Service
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With lower than two months remaining for the Election Commission to come back out with the notification for the Kerala Assembly polls, the Opposition has determined to provide you with a ‘folks’s manifesto’ below the slogan ‘clear and good governance’.

    This was introduced by Opposition chief Ramesh Chennithala throughout a press convention at Cantonment House right here on Wednesday. He sought the views of the general public on points that should be introduced into the election manifesto.

    Chennithala urged the general public to ship their suggestions to [email protected]. At the UDF assembly held on Monday, it was determined to type an election manifesto subcommittee headed by former UDF convener Benny Behanan MP because the chairman and CMP chief C P John as its convener.  Chennithala mentioned the UDF’s election manifesto can be for a “prosperous Kerala”.

    “We have decided to envisage comprehensive development of the state where our thrust would be for clean and good governance where our aim is to ensure a corruption-free state government. The UDF will guarantee that all poor people will get Rs 6000 per month under the Nyay scheme. The manifesto will also ensure that the number of days and the remuneration towards the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act will be increased,” mentioned Chennithala.

    He maintained that not a single particular person within the state would starve to dying. More hospitals can be began to supply free therapy to the folks. Chennithala additionally knowledgeable that get together MP Shashi Tharoor could have an important function in bringing varied pertinent points into the UDF’s election manifesto.

    “Tharoor has informed that he will be associated with the preparations for the UDF’s election manifesto. He will be in Thiruvananthapuram by mid-February and before that we wish to garner maximum recommendations from people belonging to all walks of life,” added Chennithala.

  • Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Baghel amongst leaders appointed Congress’ observers for 2021 Assembly polls marketing campaign

    The Congress on Wednesday appointed its senior leaders together with chief ministers Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel as observers to supervise the get together’s election marketing campaign administration for the upcoming meeting polls in a number of states and a Union territory.
    Assembly elections are resulting from be held within the states of Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the UT of Puducherry by the center of this 12 months.
    An official communication from the get together stated Congress president Sonia Gandhi has appointed the leaders as senior observers for overseeing the election marketing campaign administration and coordination in states the place meeting elections are going to be held in 2021. Their appointment is with instant impact.
    They will discharge their duties in shut coordination with AICC normal secretaries and in-charges within the respective states, the get together stated.
    Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, former Goa chief minister Luizinho Faleiro and Karnataka’s former deputy chief minister G Parameswara have been appointed as senior observers for the Kerala meeting polls.
    Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, the get together’s normal secretary Mukul Wasnik and senior chief Shakeel Ahmad Khan have been appointed as senior ovservers for the Assam meeting polls.
    For the elections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, senior get together leaders and former union ministers M Veerappa Moily and M M Pallam Raju, in addition to sitting cabinet minister in Maharashtra Nitin Raut have been appointed as senior observers.

    For the West Bengal meeting elections, senior get together chief B Okay Hariprasad and Alamgir Alam, in addition to Punjab minister Vijay Inder Singla have been appointed as observers.
    The get together is eager to retain energy in Puducherry and is in search of to wrest energy again in Assam, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The Congress is within the strategy of finalising seat-sharing with its allies in these states, the assertion stated.
    The Congress can be contesting the West Bengal meeting polls in alliance with the left events and remaining seat-sharing preparations are being labored out within the state, it stated.

    The get together’s electoral fortunes have been on the decline final 12 months when it misplaced energy in Madhya Pradesh after its chief Jyotiraditya Scindia and his supporting MLAs converted to the BJP.
    The Congress additionally misplaced the meeting elections in Delhi and Bihar final 12 months.