KOTTAYAM: The United Democratic Front (UDF) has written a new history with the victory of Chandy Oommen in the Puthuppally by-election. Oommen Chandy’s son maintained the constituency by winning a record majority of 37,719 votes. While LDF candidate Jaick C Thomas got 42,425 votes, Chandy Oommen got 80,144 votes. BJP candidate Lijin Lal got only 6558 votes. Following the announcement of results, the returning officer handed over the certificate of victory to Chandy Oommen officially announcing his victory in the constituency.

The fact that Chandy Oommen was able to retain the constituency, which was held by Oommen Chandy for 53 years, has rejuvenated the UDF. With this remarkable victory, Chandy Oommen and the UDF were able to exact revenge against Jaick C Thomas who reduced Oommen Chandy’s majority in 2021 to 9044.

It is believed that there was a significant vote leak this time from the LDF side. Party centers are surprised by the fact that the party did not get many votes even in its strongholds within the constituency. Although even LDF had expected Chandy Oommen to win, party centers did not think that he would get such a huge majority. Even the LDF votes went to the UDF side when the people of Puthuppally showed their love and respect for Oommen Chandy. This is also why the UDF was able to dominate all the panchayats in the constituency, including those ruled by the LDF.

The victory in Puthuppally is also the victory of a rare unity within Congress. The entire front worked like a well-oiled machine, assuring that it would retain the constituency with a record majority even before the announcement of the election. There was no dispute over the selection or announcement of the candidate. The leaders also showed unity in facing the allegations raised against Oommen Chandy’s family.