Congress workers cross over to KC(M) ahead of local body polls

In a setback to the United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kottayam ahead of the local body elections, a group of Congress workers from the Ettumanur Assembly constituency led by Youth Congress leader Jim Alex joined the Kerala Congress (M) on Thursday (November 13).

Along with Mr. Alex, J. James Thuruthumalil, Babu Philip, former Neendoor panchayat vice-president Thomaskutty Kolombrayil, and Asha Reji Puthenparampil also joined the KC(M). Party chairman Jose K Mani welcomed the new entrants by handing them party membership.

Mr. Alex is expected to contest as the KC(M) candidate from the Athirampuzha division of the district panchayat, while Ms. Asha Reji will contest from the Neendoor division of the Ettumanur block panchayat. The move comes months after the UDF wrested the Athirampuzha division from the KC(M) in a byelection held after the parliamentary polls.

KC(M) leaders claimed that several Congress leaders and workers from the Ettumanur and Pala Assembly constituencies have joined the party in recent days, bolstering its grassroots presence ahead of the polls.