Fronts meet their match in Twenty20 in Kizhakkambalam

The electoral scenario in Kizhakkambalam and nearby areas looked different from the rest of Ernakulam district on Tuesday.

The United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) are taking on Kitex Group-backed Twenty20 in the panchayat.

A group of people who were standing outside the Bethlehem Dayara High School at Njarackal, where polling was on, identified themselves as “anti-Twenty20”. They said there were supporters of the Congress and the CPI(M) among them. They supported a common Independent candidate.

Of the 21 wards in Kizhakkambalam, the CPI(M) is contesting only in one, while the Congress has candidates in four wards. The BJP also has candidates only in four wards. A Congress supporter, who was at a campaign booth, hoped that the party would emerge strong in Kizhakkambalam.

The enthusiasm of Twenty20 activists was visible in all the four panchayats that the party is in power, including Kunnathunad, Mazhuvannoor, and Aikkaranadu. So was in neighbouring Vengola, where the party made significant strides last time.

The district Congress leadership, meanwhile, exuded confidence that it would wrest back Kunnathunad and Mazhuvannoor this time.

Sabu alleges violence

Twenty20 president Sabu M. Jacob, meanwhile, alleged that CPI(M) and Congress activists had unleashed violence when he and his family members went to the polling station at St. Mary’s Church, Vilangu, to cast votes. He alleged that though his party had secured the order to record videos at 139 polling booths in a bid to prevent bogus voting, the State Election Commission did not get it implemented. He said his party would petition the Election Commission of India and the High Court against it.

CPI(M) leader and Kunnathunad MLA P.V. Sreenijin rubbished Mr. Sabu’s allegation, saying party supporters only opposed the Twenty20 chief’s move to speak to TV channels on the premises of the polling booth. “Earlier in the day, the police did not allow candidates to stand on the booth premises against usual norms. So, the reaction to Mr. Sabu’s move was only natural,” he said.