Kozhikode: Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, requested the believers of the church to vote as per their conscience in the Assembly bypoll at Puthuppally. 

The byelection, necessitated by the demise of former chief minister Oommen Chandy, is scheduled on September 5. Major contenders in the fray are Jaick C Thomas (LDF), Chandy Oommen (UDF) and Lijin Lal (NDA). 

“The church is not asking believers to support any particular candidate. People are free to make their electoral choices,” said the church head. He also noted that “people in Puthuppally will not forget the good deeds of late veteran Congress leader Oommen Chandy” and predicted the emotional factors surrounding Oommen’s demise to influence the poll results.

The Orthodox church has a massive influence in Puthuppally. Congress’ Chandy Oommen is a member of the church.