VS’s former aide begins campaign in Malampuzha

Palakkad: A Suresh, the longtime personal assistant of former chief minister V S Achuthanandan, began his election campaign in Malampuzha on Wednesday. He joined Congress on Tuesday.

Before he began his campaign, Suresh prayed at Emoor Bhagavathy temple. Hitherto a communist, Suresh's entry into the temple itself is an indication of his changing stance.

Initially, there were indications that he would contest as an independent candidate, but Congress functionaries appeared to have prevailed upon the party state leadership to pick him to contest on the party symbol.

Suresh said VS would always remain in his heart and thoughts. He told reporters that the decision to join Congress was entirely his own. Congress hadn't approached him nor did they try to persuade him, he said. "I had been thinking for a while whether I should continue remaining loyal to CPM. However, the party had sidelined me. That is what led me to accept the UDF candidature," he said.

"It is a good feeling because this constituency, Malappuram, belongs to LDF... But history will be changing in future. In this election, it will be an UDF constituency. We are getting a great response from people because anti-incumbency factors are working all over Kerala... UDF will be winning by a huge majority," said Suresh.