Pathanamthitta District Collector, in his capacity as the District Election Officer, warned T.M. Thomas Isaac, CPM leader and Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate in Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency, on March 30, 2024, from capitalising on Kudumbashree movement for election campaign. The order came in the light of the complaint lodged by the Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) that LDF candidate utilised government machinery for election campaign hence violation of model code of conduct of election rules. District Election Officer communicated to Isaac that he violated the election rules by participating in the official programme of Kudumbashree. Election Officer ordered him not to participate in the governmental programme.
UDF complained that Isaac was capitalising on government machinery for his election campaign. Election Officer’s action has been reportedly taken after examining the explanation submitted by Isaac. UDF had complained against the election promises of loan facility, awarding of jobs through K-Disc, etc. during his visit to Kudumbashree programme.
But, Isaac said, in his explanation, that he has not utilised Kudumbashree and other governmental machineries for election campaign. He said, his links with Kudumbashree was very old. He said, he had not participated in any official programme of Kudumbashree. He had only went to the venue of Kudumbashree and sought votes.
While speaking to the media men, Isaac tried to pass the bucks to his party men. That is their carelessness. They should have realized that it was organised by CDS (Community Development Society), the apex body of the three-tier Kudumbashree organisation. It functions at the local government level, in both rural and urban areas.
However, UDF has declared to move legally against the District Election Officer for accepting the nomination paper of Thomas Isaac despite realizing that he (Isaac) had violated the model code of conduct.
Isaac’s argument is not music for all ears. Because, either he or his party is liable to answer a significant question: “Will they welcome a UDF candidate or NDA/BJP candidate to seek vote at the venue of Kudumbashree?” Answer is too simple – a big NO.
Kudumbashree is the poverty eradication and women empowerment programme implemented by the State Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM) of the government of Kerala. In Malayalam, Kudumbashree means ‘prosperity of the family’.
Dr. Thomas Isaac, a senior CPM leader and a member of its central committee, is considered to be party’s own economist. He is former MLA and former State Finance Minister. Those days, he was one of the closest associates of Pinarayi Vijayan.
