Kerala - Kozhikode   

Curtain down on campaign in Kozhikode

Staff Reporter

Last-ditch attempt to woo electorate

KOZHIKODE: Political parties made a last-ditch attempt to woo the electorate as the campaigning for the civic polls in the district came to an end on Saturday evening.

Candidates exuded confidence that they would better their performance as the electioneering officially came to a close at 5 p.m.

Contestants belonging to the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) along with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran) and a legion of independents are battling it out in 78 grama panchayats, 12 block panchayats, 28 district panchayat divisions, 55 divisions of Kozhikode Corporation, and 44 and 41 wards of Vadakara and Koilandy municipalities respectively.

Campaigning reached a crescendo towards the evening. Activists in open jeeps and modified vans criss-crossed the city announcing the names of the candidates. Leaders of political parties addressed public meetings at various places. A few candidates campaigned with music bands, `panchavadyam' troupes and `pulikkali' groups in tow. A procession with a life-size model of an elephant aroused much interest.

Isolated incidents of minor scuffle between the UDF and LDF activists were reported from Mukhadar, Puthiyakadavu, Vellayil and Kakkuzhipalam at West Hill. Four persons were admitted to Government Beach Hospital.

Long queues were seen in front of the retail outlets of the Beverages Corporation till 4 p.m. Liquor will not be available for the next four days owing to the election. A total of 4,795 candidates are in the fray for the elections to the three-tier panchayat in the district. As many as 3,797 candidates are contesting in various wards to 78 grama panchayats, 467 candidates in 12 block panchayats, 100 in 28 divisions of the district panchayats, 201 in 55 wards of the Kozhikode Corporation, 134 in 44 wards of the Vadakara municipality and 96 in the 41 wards of Koyilandy municipality.

Poll arrangements

Meanwhile, the district administration has made all arrangements to ensure that the polls will be conducted in a smooth and fair manner on Monday, District Collector Rachna Shah said. She requested the cooperation of all political parties, candidates, the public and officials in the conduct of the elections.

There are 322 polling stations in Kozhikode Corporation. Stringent legal action will be taken against persons in case of impersonation or attempt to cast bogus votes.

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