Kochi, Feb 19 (PTI) The ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) today said it would make a plea to the Election Commission to advance the Piravom bypoll to March 17, a day ahead of the scheduled March 18 date. A decision in this regard was taken at a UDF meeting here today. Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said after the meeting that the plea would be made as the original date "is a Sunday". The decision was taken keeping in mind the Christian-dominant population in the constituency, UDF sources said. Chandy also agreed with the opposition Left Democratic Front's (LDF) contention that the upcoming bypoll would be a referendum on the performance of his eight-month old government. However, he said the UDF was confident of doing well in the poll. "Political differences within the front will not hamper the Front's prospects in the bypoll. All the constituents will remain united," he said. The bypoll will be the first major trial for the Congress ministry after it rode to power with a wafer-thin margin of 72 seats in the 140-member house in May last year. The election was necessitated following the death of Kerala Congress (J) leader T M Jacob, who was food minister in the Chandy cabinet. Jacob's death in October had reduced the elected strength of the UDF in the assembly to 71, including the Speaker, against 68 seats held by the CPI(M)-led LDF opposition.
