Neyyattinkara:F.Lawrence set to take on Selvaraj

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  It will be F Lawrence versus R Selvaraj in Neyyattinkara. Lawrence, a member of the Parassala block panchayat, will be the LDF candidate for the  byelection. The name  proposed by the CPM district committee was later approved in the CPM state committee. Lawrence, an advocate, has been an LDF independent  member in the block panchayat for the last three terms.Lawrence’s selection is considered as a strategic move by the LDF to turn the tables against the UDF which is banking on the Nadar vote bank of R Selvaraj who quit as CPM MLA and is seeking re-election as UDF candidate.Lawrence,  a member of the CSI Church, has good influence in areas like Chenkal and Karode where the CPM is not  strong. With the support from CPM ‘s traditional strongholds like Neyyattinkara, Lawrence can offer a stiff fight to Selvaraj. The district committee also had considered other names like K A Anzalan, Bennet Abraham and R T Pradeep.But the support from the district leadership for Lawrence and his wide acceptance in the CSI community ultimately helped him get the ticket.