Pala set to witness triangular contest in assembly polls

KOTTAYAM: Pala assembly constituency is set to witness a triangular contest, as the three main political fronts have almost finalised their candidates even before the election notification.

Incumbent MLA Mani C Kappan informally began his campaign, as Kerala Congress (Mani) ruled out returning to the UDF fold. The candidature of Jose K Mani was almost confirmed, as minister Roshy Augustine announced on Tuesday that the former would contest from Pala. With Shone George likely to be BJP's candidate, the constituency is set to witness a triangular fight.


Both UDF and LDF will be concerned over George's candidature, as BJP is eyeing Pala with great hopes.

In 2021, the BJP candidate had bagged 10,869 votes. In the byelection held in 2019 following the demise of K M Mani, BJP had bagged 18,044 votes, while the same candidate got 24,821 votes in 2016 assembly polls. In the recent local body polls, BJP got around 30,000 votes from Pala municipality and in panchayats that come under the constituency. BJP is eyeing this vote bank as its base.

Kappan had on Monday stated that Mani held talks with UDF leaders with the intention of returning to UDF. There were reports that if KC(M) returned to the UDF fold, Mani would be its candidate in Pala, while Kappan would be given Thiruvambady seat. However, as KC(M) ruled out a return to UDF, Kappan set his foot firmly in Pala. With Mani's candidature being announced, the stage is set for an interesting battle in Pala.