Kochi: Campaigning for the crucial March 17 by poll to Piravom assembly constituency ended this evening, with both the ruling Congress led United Democratic Front (UDF) and CPI (M) led Left Democratic Front (LDF) expressing
optimism over the outcome.
The by poll was necessitated following the death of former minister T M Jacob, father of Anoop Jacob. It had reduced the UDF strength in the 140 member assembly to 71. In the LDF camp, the recent resignation of Neyyatinkara
MLA Selvaraj has reduced its strength to 67.
UDF candidate Anoop Jacob, who is making his debut in the electoral arena and LDF veteran, M J Jacob, came together at Piravom this evening to woo voters. K R Rajagopal is the BJP candidate.
While the LDF, taken aback by the resignation of its Neyyatinkara MLA R Selvaraj, hit back at the UDF saying they were encouraging "horse trading", the rival front said the resignation showed that all was not well in the Marxist party led front.
The unsavoury remarks made by Opposition leader in the assembly V S Achutanandan against former SFI activist Sindhu Joy was also used by the UDF to the hilt to woo voters.
PTI