The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Sebastian Paul seeks another term

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 02, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Sebastian Paul seeks another term

By Shyama Rajagopal

KOCHI, MAY 1. Early bird catches the worm. The LDF-supported Independent candidate, Sebastian Paul, missed out on catching the voters early on Friday, when the election campaign convoy started out late to the Thripunithura Assembly segment under the Ernakulam Lok Sabha constituency.

The campaign convoy was greeted by a thin crowd in the urban area of Palarivattom. Scheduled to start at 8 a.m., the vehicle arrived late by more than an hour.

The dampened spirits of the people in the convoy was soon forgotten once the campaigning got under way.

Seated high on the back of an open jeep, Mr. Paul could beat the sun only with a raised coloured roof on the jeep. Decorated with flowers all around, the jeep was heralded by an announcement jeep and other vehicles carrying LDF campaigners.

The candidate was received mostly by women and children in most of the areas in the other divisions too.

Waiting for the candidate at one of the reception centre at Vennala, was a first time voter. "My father is a party worker and I would like to cast my vote this time," the girl said. Do you want to meet the candidate when he arrives here? "No, I'll watch him from far," she said straightening her headscarf.

An announcement jeep went by sounding the arrival of the candidate.

A small crowd gathered on the road. Accepting tea arranged by the locals, Mr. Paul appealed to the voters to send him to the Lok Sabha once again to complete his duties. He said he had been in Parliament only for 13 days this time.

At many places the local committee members of the CPI(M) joined the convoy.

The sprawling Thripunithura Assembly constituency starts from Cheranelloor at one end and Poothota at the other.

After Vennala and Vyttila, Mr. Paul's convoy went to Champakara and Petta.

Covering the small divisions of the Corporation in the morning, the candidate took his afternoon break only around 4 p.m. Campaign in the Thripunithura municipal area will be on May 5. The Udayamperoor stretch in the evening was more colourful with crowds gathering in large numbers.

The office-goers were back and there were more people at the reception spots.

Taking the election convoy to the interiors of Puthiyakavu, Puthenkavu, Nadakavu, Poothota, the candidate finished his campaign trail for the day only after 10 p.m.

The Thripunithura Assembly constituency has shown different affiliations at various times. Though it has returned K. Babu (Congress) to the Assembly for the last four elections, the constituency has chosen LDF-backed Independent candidates many times.

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