Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 17 (IANS): Pala city, by the Meenachil river, has always been in the headlines whenever there is election and ever since itss flamboyant leader K.M. Mani, who held the assembly seat since 1967, passed away last year, it has for the first time been won by anyone other than Mani.
NCP candidate Mani C. Kappen romped home defeating Mani's close aide Jose Tom in his third attempt in the by-election.
When Kappen was crowned the new 'Prince' of Pala, he felt it would be his fortress, but things have gone haywire, ever since K.M. Mani's son, who headed one faction of the Kerala Congress (Mani) walked out of the Congress-led UDF one fine day. Jose has since been welcomed by the ruling CPI-M-led LDF.
The other faction led by party veteran and senior legislator P.J. Joseph remained with the UDF.
When the civic polls results came out on Wednesday, Jose K. Mani had the last laugh and his party's stunning performance left every political student in the state surprised.
While many thought, Jose K.Mani would bite the dust, it turned out to be his day, as he crushed not just Joseph, but the entire UDF, who treated him with disdain.
Ruling the Pala Municipality, which always was a distant dream for the Left, finally came true and with it, for the Left, there is nothing left to doubt in the strength of Jose K. Mani, who also helped the Left to turn winners in Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts.
The arrival of Jose K. Mani into the Left fold was not liked by the second biggest ally -- CPI, and now they feel wounded.
When the civic polls results came, even State CPI secretary Kanam Rajendran had to acknowledge the contribution of Jose K.Mani.
On Thursday morning, though, the shots were heard and the first one was fired by Pala Legislator Kappen who said that the victory that the Left achieved under Jose K.Mani is by a lesser margin, than what he got them.
"There is no question of giving away the Pala seat to any other party and there is no question of that," said Kappen.
But now it remains to be seen, if the Left will rally behind Kappen and given what Pala means to Jose K. Mani.
Kappen in all likelihood may have to give in, when the discussion of seats takes place in the Left, ahead of the April/May assembly polls.
Already, sensing the likely rift to take place in the Left, the Congress-led UDF has extended an open invite to NCP's Kappen, that their doors will be open always for him, if he so desires.
"Everything will be discussed in the Left Democratic Front at the appropriate time, so let us wait for it," said Jose K. Mani and added many have got in touch with him, wanting to return to the party.
The NCP presently has two legislators, which includes State Minister for Transport A.K. Saseendran and a third one was Thomas Chandy, who passed away last year and that seat is vacant.
With Wednesday's results, the writing on the wall is very clear for Kappen that if he decides to put his foot down, then it would be curtains for him in the Left.
In politics, however, what is more important is how well can one bargain and Jose K. Mani whose Congress gifted Rajya Sabha seat's tenure is to end only in 2023, might turn out to be a bargaining point for Kappen to mutually switch his Pala seat for Jose K. Mani's Rajya Sabha seat.