Sunny Joseph confident local body success will drive UDF to bigger victory in Kerala assembly polls | Interview

Following the UDF’s victory in the local body elections, KPCC President Sunny Joseph, MLA, has outlined preparations for the forthcoming assembly polls. He told Mathrubhumi that the Congress and the UDF are confident of securing a decisive win, projecting more than 100 seats in the assembly elections.

Q: In the context of the victory achieved in the local body elections, how do you view the assembly elections, which are just months away?

A: The work was undertaken with both elections in mind. This was the semi-final; the assembly elections will be the final, and we expect an even bigger victory. Preparations for the local body elections are, in fact, more challenging, as they involve selecting thousands of candidates, ward delimitation and addressing local issues. Preparing for the assembly elections is comparatively easier, with only 140 constituencies, and there will be no issue of rebels.

Q: The message conveyed by the local body elections verdict

A: There is a feeling of anti-incumbency against the state government at all levels. It is only the state government that does not understand it. The UDF is confident of a major victory, having swept the wards in the constituencies of several ministers.

Q: Will the local body election victory lead to party activists taking things lightly?

A: Never. That was the clear message from Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi when he congratulated us on the victory. He cautioned us against overconfidence or complacency and urged us to work with renewed energy. In view of the assembly elections, we will soon intensify our efforts. The party high command has issued broad guidelines.

Q: The Congress and the UDF benefited from announcing candidates well in advance during the local body elections. Will this approach continue for the assembly polls? Will the practice of last-minute announcements change?

A: Certainly. Early nomination proved advantageous in the local body elections, and the same approach will be followed for the assembly polls as well, while the exact timeline has not yet been decided. In any case, the Congress candidates will complete the campaigning process long before the filing of nomination papers begins. Preparatory work for the elections will start in January.

Q: Will there be any criteria for candidate selection?

A: The sole criterion will be the likelihood of victory. Both seat allocation and candidate selection will be decided with that objective in mind. The UDF will take a collective decision on seat division.

Q: It is certain that the CPM and the Left Democratic Front will make concerted efforts to overcome the setback in the local body elections, including steps to win back sections that may have drifted away.

A: Whatever steps they take will not make a difference. The setback they suffered in the local body elections is deep and lasting. They no longer enjoy the confidence of any community or section of society. For instance, take the Sabarimala gold theft. It exposed the government’s and the CPM’s lies, and the public has seen through them.

Q: How do you view the BJP’s performance in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation?

A: The BJP has traditionally been strong there. What is notable is that the CPM’s seat tally declined. The UDF saw an increase in seats.

Q: There is a suggestion that the UDF and the LDF should join hands as part of the INDIA alliance to keep the BJP at bay in the Palakkad Municipality. How about that?

A: The issue has not come up for consideration before the KPCC. Decisions on the approach to mayoral elections in municipalities are taken at the local level. Such situations often arise in the context of local body elections.