Kerala CPM fields ‘Left fellow-traveller’ cardiologist in Thrikkakara bypoll

The CPM zeroed in on the doctor, who belongs to the Catholic community, after actively considering the party’s Ernakulam district committee member KS Arun Kumar as the candidate. Party workers had even painted his name on roadside walls as part of the election campaign.

Announcing the party candidate, Left Democratic Front convener EP Jayarajan told reporters that Dr Joseph had close links with people and the CPM. “He is very active in social work. His role in cardiac surgeries, including heart transplantations, has been acknowledged. When we got this doctor, why should we think about other candidates?’’ he said.

Hours later, Dr Joseph told reporters at the Catholic church-run Lisie Hospital in Kochi that he was an LDF fellow traveller. “My candidature was not at the intervention of any community. The allegation that I am a nominee of the Church is baseless. I am lucky to be a Left candidate,’’ said Joseph, flanked by Catholic priests and CPM leaders such as central committee member and minister P Rajeev.

In the last Assembly election also, the CPM fielded a doctor, orthopaedist J Jacob, in Thrikkakara against Thomas. While Dr Jacob was an LDF-backed independent, Dr Joseph will contest the bye-election on the CPM symbol.

By naming a Catholic doctor as the party candidate and having him and Catholic priests in a single photo frame soon after announcing his candidature, the CPM indicated that it wanted to woo voters from the crucial community in the constituency.

The by-election is decisive for the CPM as the party has declared it will be a referendum on the proposed semi-high-speed rail corridor project called SilverLine, which is facing stiff opposition from local people.