Pro-UDF wave carries away Alappuzha too

By A. Harikumar

ALAPPUZHA, MAY 15. Respite in groupism in the Congress and consolidation of the anti-CPI(M) votes have helped the UDF stage a spectacular comeback in the Assembly elections in Alappuzha district from the dismal performance in the last election to the local bodies.

The election results showed that the district was also influenced by the pro-UDF wave that swept central and northern Kerala. The UDF candidates were elected in eight out of the 11 seats in the district.

The defeated CPI(M) candidates include some of the top leaders of the party like Mr. G. Sudhakaran at Kayamkulam and Mr. C.K. Sadasivan at Ambalappuzha. The results sprang a surprise when the JSS candidate, Mr. K.K. Shaju, wrested Pandalam seat, which had been a monopoly of the LDF since 1980.

The victory of Dr. Thomas Issac at Mararikulam and Mr. T.K. Devakumar at Haripad helped the CPI(M) to salvage some pride. The victory of the LDF candidate, Dr. K.C. Joseph, at Kuttanad with an increased margin is a pointer to his influence in the constituency and lack of influence of the UDF candidate who had contested as a UDF rebel in an earlier election.

While the vote share of the BJP remained almost the same at several constituencies when compared to the 1996 Assembly election, it registered a drastic fall when compared to the votes gained by the party in the last election to the local bodies and the Lok Sabha.

The organisation machinery of the Congress proved effective in exploiting the anti-incumbency factor and cashing in on the dissatisfaction of various sections towards certain policies of the LDF Government. The 20-point programme implemented by the new DCC leadership to rejuvenate the Congress seems to have succeeded in waking up the ordinary worker.

On the other hand, though the CPI(M) went to the election projecting the development activities undertaken by the LDF Government, it seems to have failed in convincing the public. The only exception is the Mararikulam constituency where a systematic campaign ensured victory for the LDF candidate, Dr. Thomas Issac.

The opposition of the SNDP Yogam and Dheevara Sabha to the LDF has also brought down the lead of the winning LDF candidates in some constituencies. At the same time, the LDF could not benefit from the equidistance policy of the NSS. The support of PDP to the UDF also seemed to have altered the result in some constituencies.

Commenting on the victory, the DCC president, Prof. G. Balachandran, said the fall in prices of agricultural and marine products, the liquor policy of the Government, the crisis that affected the coir sector and the deterioration of law and order in some parts of the State have all resulted in public resentment against the LDF rule.

While the Congress could keep its influence in the coastal area intact, the CPI(M) lost its influence among the working class, especially, workers in the liquor trade sector, said Mr. Balachandran.

The CPI(M) district secretary, Mr. V. Kesavan attributed the UDF victory to the consolidation of communal forces. According to him, the BJP, PDP and SNDP joined together to defeat the LDF. He denied reports that factionalism in the party might have played the spoilsport.

Pointing at the victory at Mararikulam, Mr. Kesavan said that this proved that the CITU which had a strong presence in the constituency had fully cooperated with the LDF here. He denied reports that Achuthanandan loyalists in the CPI(M) had conspired to defeat Mr. G. Sudhakaran at the Kayamkulam constituency.

According to him, the LDF could not muster enough majority in many of its strongholds while the UDF managed to get good majorities in their strongholds. Mr. Kesavan agreed to the observation that some of the policies taken by the LDF Government, like bringing the liquor trade under cooperative societies of workers, were implemented at a wrong time.

One of the peculiarities of this election in the district was the utilisation of the services of those who campaigned for money by both the fronts. For pasting posters, the workers charged Rs. 1 per poster. Squad workers who visited homes also charged for their services at many areas.

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Section  : State Elections
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