Kottayam, March 27 (IANS) Personal prestige takes precedence over collective political stakes at the Kottayam Lok Sabha seat where Kerala's longest serving legislator is keen on cementing his political legacy through his son.
Stakes are high for 81-year-old Finance Minister K.M. Mani, who knows that with age catching up and his health failing, it is imperative for him to ensure that his son Jose K. Mani wins the elections at any cost.
Mani junior is contesting on behalf of Kerala Congress (Mani), the third biggest party in the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government. It is the only Lok Sabha seat the party is contesting.
Opposing him is former state minister and legislator Mathew T. Thomas from the Janata Dal-Secular, an ally of the CPI-M's Left Democratic Front (LDF).
Thomas represents Thiruvalla in the state assembly. Unlike Mani, he is a rank outsider to the constituency, which means he would have to put in that extra effort to reach out to the electorate.
While family legacy ensured Mani Junior his ticket, for Thomas it took a twist of fate and some hard-ball negotiation by his party the CPI-M, the big brother in the LDF coalition.
The CPI-M initially was not too pleased with Thomas, who went public that his party has to be given the seat. The former had already announced its candidate and he had started his election campaign.
But after the Revolutionary Socialist Party, an ally for more than three decades, walked out of the LDF over differences in seat sharing arrangements, the JD-S knew it was time to strike.
And they struck hard, forcing the CPI-M to withdraw its candidate.
Some days later, the JD-S projected a somewhat reluctant Thomas as its man for the Lok Sabha polls from Kottayam.
By then Mani had already had a headstart over his opponent. He was off the blocks first on the campaign trail. He also showcases what he said were his achievements in his last stint as MP.
Both Thomas and Mani are soft spoken in their approach and have a pleasing personality but are now engaged in a bitter political battle in which none wants to finish second.
In 2011, the UDF bagged five of the seven assembly constituencies that form the Kottayam Lok Sabha constituency.
This could well be the USP for Mani.
The Left claims that Mani, a master politician, has built bridges with the BJP and there could well be a deal between them. Both parties have denied the charge.
To Thomas' credit is his stint as transport minister (2006-09) in the V.S. Achuthanandan government and the work he did. He expects his clean image also to come to his aid.
Thomas is also hoping against hope that strong undercurrents prevailing in Mani's party could be the ace-in-the-hole for him.
Bahrain minister in India, holds talks with Sushma
New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) Bahrain, a key Gulf partner, and India held their first High Joint Commission meeting here Sunday during the meeting between its foreign minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed
Mukesh Ambani gave a big responsibility to the daughter, Isha will take over the command of this company
Reliance Industries (RIL) Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani introduced his daughter Isha as the head of the group's retail business at the 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday. Along
Shah Rukh Khan and Y+: The Maharashtra government increased the security of 'Jawan' Shah Rukh, he was receiving death threats.
Shah Rukh Khan Gets Y+ Security: The year 2023 has been very good for Bollywood's King Shah Rukh Khan. His first film 'Pathan', released in January, created a stir at the box office. After this film,
Coronavirus: How deadly is the new variant of Corona for children, why viruses come in the role of carrier
The new wave of coronavirus epidemic in many countries including China, and America has increased the concern of the world. Infection of the new variant of Corona has started appearing in many states
Sanjeev Jeeva: 20 lakh betel nut found to kill Jeeva, connection with Nepal, shooter's sensational disclosure
The wires of Vijay Yadav, the shooter who gunned down the infamous Sanjeev Jeeva, are being linked to Nepal. He had gone to Nepal a few days back. Stayed in touch with a big mafia there. He told this
Whirlpool Kitchen Products Segment to be Rs.100 Crore by 2017
Kolkata, Feb 11 (IANS) Consumer durables company Whirlpool India Ltd. Wednesday said it is expecting its built-in kitchen products segment to become a Rs.100 crore business by 2017 as high-end
Chinese national caught on Indo-Bangladesh border turns out to be a spy, came to Delhi thrice in the last two years
Amid the Corona epidemic spreading in the country, on Thursday, the BSF arrested a Chinese citizen illegally entering India from the Bangladesh border. This Chinese national was caught while entering
Congress confused about its campaign: BJP
New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) The BJP Wednesday said the Congress leadership was confused about its election campaign and is launching personal attacks against BJP leaders, but crying foul over
WTC Final: 'It would have been better to have played the final', Ashwin's pain spilled over being kept out against Australia
Ravichandran Ashwin, the world's number-one Test bowler, did not get a chance to play in the final of the World Test Championship. Captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid did not include him in
Crowd for MCG final could break record
Melbourne, March 26 (IANS) Two of the key attendance milestones reached at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) could be trumped by Sunday's World Cup final.The 1992 World Cup in the Antipodes drew