The Hindu : Front Page : Civic poll: CPI(M) to field Jayan Babu

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Friday, Sep 02, 2005

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Civic poll: CPI(M) to field Jayan Babu

Staff Reporter

LDF is bracing itself for a tough fight

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPI(M) district committee has decided to field Jayan Babu, former Mayor, for the forthcoming elections to the City Corporation Council. Mr. Babu may contest the elections from the Pappanamcode ward, which is currently held by the CPI(M).

Mr. Babu, who was the Mayor during 1988-89, had also served as the chairman of the Thiruvananthapuram Development Authority. He is currently a member of the CPI(M) district secretariat and the party's State control commission.

The realignment of wards following delimitation has left both the LDF and UDF grappling with challenges to consolidate their position in the council.

In the coastal belt of the city stretching from Poundukadavu to Poonthura, the number of coastal wards has gone up from seven to 12, with all except two, reserved for women.

While the Shanghumughom ward has been bifurcated into Shanghumughom and Kannanthura, the Valiathura- Vallakkadavu ward has been split into the original constituents and the eastern half of the Beemapally ward has been carved out into another constituency. The two other new coastal wards include Puthenpally and Manikyavilakam. The Poundukadavu, Pallithura, Vettukad and Poonthura coastal wards have been retained. Only the Kannanthura and Poonthura wards are general seats. With the remaining 10 constituencies in the coastal belt reserved for women, the LDF is bracing itself for a tough fight. LDF leaders fear that the situation would work out to the advantage of the UDF.

In the city, the Kuzhivila, Medical College East and Rishimangalam wards have ceased to exist while three new wards, namely, Punnackamugal, Muttathara and Pazhanjira, have been carved out. Out of a total population of 7.2 lakhs in the city as per the 2001 census, the delimitation exercise has pegged the average population of a ward at 8,600. As per the final list, the ward population ranges from 9,800 to 7,800.

Closer to the heart of the city, the Thampanoor, Secretariat, Palayam, Thycaud, Vazhuthacaud and Sasthamangalam wards are reserved for women. A large number of the sitting councillors in these seats have been forced to scout for fresh constituencies.

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