Kappan underscores his clout in Pala

A quiet campaign focussing on development helps him defeat Jose K. Mani

In elections, once is a surprise; twice is a pattern. Two years ago, when Mani C. Kappan won Pala, a seat held by the late KC(M) leader K.M. Mani for 54 years since its formation in 1965, poll pundits treated it an ‘improbable win.’ But Mr. Kappan, who was earlier defeated by Mr. Mani thrice on the trot, was playing a longer game. Mr. Kappan, who had readily seized on a fracture within the KC(M) to win the seat, always kept his claim for a re-election from the seat alive through systematic work. When a reshuffle of the coalition equations, triggered by the KC(M)’s decision to ally with the LDF, cast a shadow over his claim, he responded swiftly by joining the rival camp and floating a new outfit – the Nationalist Congress Kerala. And now, the performance of Mr. Kappan over the last 16 months as a legislator, with immense support from the LDF government, has served the UDF’s purpose.