CPM still undecided on Karunakaran, Cong is loser

Who is the winner in the recently held bye-election in Thiruvananthapuram Lok sabha constituency? Panniyan Ravindran of CPI had defeated the Congress candidate by a margin of 75,000 votes. But the real winner is Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran) "" DIC(K) as its entry into LDF is almost certain now.

CPM general secretary Prakash Karat recently admitted that DIC(K) had played a crucial role in winning the bye election. Political pandits observed this as a green signal to DIC(K) for its formal entry into LDF.

CPM state secretariat meeting held recently has analysed that DIC(K) has 26000 -30000 votes in Thiruvananthapuram constituency and made its 'valuable contribution' in winning the election. A section of CPM, lead by Pinarayi Vijayan, state secretary is in favour of the entry of DIC(K) to LDF, but another faction lead by V S Achuthanandan, opposition leader is strongly opposing this move.

But as the faction of Pinarayi Vijayan has the upper hand in the party and with the blessing in disguise from the central leadership of the party, DIC (K) will soon join LDF. Since Kerala is going for assembly polls by the middle of next year CPM is eager to grab power in the state.

CPI, which is the second party in LDF at present is not in favour of the formal entry of DIC(K) as it will thwart the position of the party in the next election and the cabinet. But it is not opposing publicly as the 'big brother' is controlling them carefully. The bye election had clearly jeopardised the hopes of UDF as it expected a win in the election.

But even as the BJP candidate had secured only 36,000 votes UDF had lost the election pathetically. In the last election O.Rajagopal, the then BJP candidate had got 2.25 lakh votes. A major chunk of that votes has been cast in favour of Congress this time, but evaded congress party.

Meanwhile, CPM has geared up its economic agenda for the state as they are almost sure of winning the assembly polls. Party had decided to conduct an International congress for earmarking 10 year economic agenda for the development of the state during 9-11, December at Thiruvananthapuram. Some 63 papers on different aspects of the development of Kerala will be presented in the congress.

Party is ready to accept FDI for the development of the state wherever necessary, but not to sell off public sector undertakings. Political observers believe that the congress would be a curtain raiser to the next LDF rule in the state. The three day congress will be inaugurated by none other than Budhadeb Bhattacharya.