Rebel Candidates Emerge Across Kerala as UDF Battles Internal Turmoil

Thiruvananthapuram: Despite nomination deadline on Friday for the local body polls, internal disputes within the UDF remian unresolved, with the rebel candidates emerging across all distrticts.

In Kasargod, Youth League workers staged a protest in Padannakkad against the Muslim League leadership. In Attingal Municipality, Congress leaders clashed with each other. In Wayanad, the State General Secretary of the Youth Congress filed his nomination as a rebel candidate for the district panchayat.

With conflicts still simmering, UDF submitted nominations in many areas on the final day. In Wayanad, Youth Congress State General Secretary jasheer Pallivayal submitted nomination for district panchayat, challenging the Congress leadership. In Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, UDF has rebel candidates in five divisions. In Kannur Corporation, both Congress and Muslim League has fielded candidates. Additionally, supporters of Congress leader PK Ragesh submitted nomination to contest in 12 divisions.

In Kasargod - which saw a group clash at the DCC office- both Congress and Muslim League are facing rebel candidates. In Padanna, Youth League workers staged protest against League leadership. In Kochi Corporation, a UDF constituency chairman filed his nomination as a rebel. In Idukki, a DCC member is contesting against the official UDF candidate. In Malappuram, the rebel candidate in the division where Muslim League State General Secretary P.M.A. Salam resides is the Women’s League mandalam secretary. The situation is tense in Kozhikode, Kollam, and Kottayam as well.

In Alappuzha district panchayat’s Ambalappuzha division, the Muslim League has fielded a candidate against the Congress. MSF State Vice President Adv. Althaf Subair is the League candidate, while A.R. Kannan represents the Congress. The League has also fielded a candidate against the Congress in the Charummoodu block division.