Kerala - Kochi   

Thomas seeks continuity; Lawrence wants it the West Bengal way

Staff Reporter

BJP candidate Nedumbassery Ravi says people will vote for a change

NO ARM-TWISTING THIS: The United Democratic Front candidate in the Ernakulam Assembly constituency, K.V. Thomas, left; his Left Democratic Front rival, M.M. Lawrence, centre; and their Bharatiya Janata Party opponent, Nedumbassery Ravi; at a meet-the -candidates programme in the city on Monday. — Photo: Vipinchandran

KOCHI: Development issues, such as drinking water supply, urban transport and removal of garbage, are the main planks on which the three key candidates in the Ernakulam constituency are contesting the Assembly elections.

Participating in a meet-the-candidates programme, organised by the Ernakulam Press Club on Monday, K.V. Thomas, United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate, who represents the constituency now, felt that people of the State would be voting for the ruling front this time for continuation of Government. The trend of the two fronts alternately coming to power had hampered development process, he added.

M.M. Lawrence, Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate, supported the point raised by his political opponent, but with a rider: "There is continuation of Government in West Bengal. But the Left Front Government has commitment to people and is implementing programmes for the welfare of people, which is not the case with the UDF Government."

The Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Nedumbassery Ravi felt that there should be a paradigm shift in concepts of development in the State.

He said people in the city seemed to have become used to inaction by authorities.

The two fronts were responsible for the pathetic state of affairs in the city, as they had been in power in the city corporation and the State. Hence, people here would vote for a change, he said.

Water supply

On the proposal of Mr. Lawrence for new water supply projects for the city by drawing water from the Edamalayar and the Muvattupuzha, Mr. Thomas said that an exclusive water supply scheme was being planned for the city. Funds from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission would be used for the project, he added.

He criticised the corporation for sanctioning apartment complexes in the city without ensuring water supply and transport facilities.

There should be programmes for rainwater harvesting and also conservation of water resources, he added.

On factional feud

On the statement of Mr. Thomas that factional fights in the Communist Party of India (Marxist) would benefit the UDF, Mr. Lawrence said he was happy with Mr. Thomas's concern for the party.

Mr. Lawrence said it was he who had projected the demand for Goshree bridges when he was convener of the LDF. Accusing the ruling front of attempting to sell the water resources of the State, Mr. Lawrence said he was opposed to any move for such a sale.

Mr. Ravi accused MPs from the State of failing to get what was due for the State.

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