Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Close contest in Aryanad

Staff Reporter

Chandrachoodan relies on squad work to make inroads into Karthikeyan's territory

WOOING VOTERS: Congress candidate in Aryanad constituency G. Karthikeyan canvasses for votes, while RSP veteran T.J. Chandrachoodan gets a welcome during his campaign tour on Tuesday. Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar

Thiruvananthapuram: The loudspeaker announcement from the lead vehicle breaks the silence and echoes off the misty hills. The jeeps struggle and bounce over the unpaved road cutting through a rubber estate in the tribal belt bordering the Aryanad Assembly constituency.

The going is tough but this is familiar terrain for G. Karthikeyan, the Congress candidate who is seeking a mandate for the fourth successive term. Having represented Aryanad for the past 15 years, Mr. Karthikeyan is familiar to the voters of the constituency.

Despite the overcast sky, GK, as he is known to party colleagues, prefers an open jeep for his campaign tour. "This is your own Karthikeyan. Your friend, your comrade who has stood by you all these years," says the announcement. Most of the people who turn up to greet the motorcade are estate workers and their families.

At one point, a woman approaches the vehicle to hand over a memorandum to him. She beseeches him to sanction financial assistance for her ailing sister. "We have no well and no running water. Please do something." Mr. Karthikeyan gives her a patient hearing and promises to look into the matter.

At Chettiyampara in the Tholicode panchayat, the jeep crawls to a stop at a small clearing by the side of the road. As the candidate dismounts, the crowd closes in. In his brief address to the gathering, he assures them that he would continue to work for the welfare of the constituency. Before the motorcade moves on, Mr. Karthikeyan pauses to issue directions to the panchayat member, Sumangala, who is in charge of the campaign here.

Earlier in the morning, at the Parandod junction where he starts the day's campaign, Mr. Karthikeyan makes an emotional appeal to the voters, reminding them of his efforts to revive the rural economy and create more jobs in the agricultural sector. "Aryanad has sheltered me for the last 15 years. Your mandate has been the stepping stone for my political career," he says. Highlighting the policy initiatives of the UDF Government, he exhorts the electorate: "If you want development, vote for the UDF. The choice is yours."

Mr. Karthikeyan's main rival, T.J. Chandrachoodan of the RSP, does not enjoy the advantage of home turf in Aryanad, but this does not ruffle the veteran politician who is used to the rough and tumble of the electoral arena. With a formidable network extending to every nook and corner of the constituency, the LDF machinery has relied heavily on squad work and family get-togethers to woo the electorate.

By 11 a.m., Mr. Chandrachoodan is on his way to the Karimpankala tribal colony in the forest area. Seated in the front of the four-wheel drive vehicle, the 66-year-old politician looks every inch ready for the battle. "The spontaneous response from the electorate has been overwhelming. The people are fed up with the UDF Government. We are sure of an upset victory here," he says.

Seated near him is his campaign aide, Appukuttan Kani, vice-president of the Vithura panchayat. On the way to the Kallankudi colony, the motorcade stops on seeing an elephant and its mahout. Getting down from the jeep, Mr. Chandrachoodan proceeds cautiously. The mahout is taken aback but recovers quickly and extends his hand in welcome.

At the colony, the motorcade is greeted by an enthusiastic crowd shouting slogans. Mr. Chandrachoodan is presented with a giant flower garland and a bouquet. Mr. Appukuttan Kani reminds the audience that their candidate would be a minister if the LDF assumes power.

In his short speech, Mr. Chandrachoodan seeks a mandate from the tribal folk to work for their welfare. "Poverty and malnutrition are the biggest problems in the tribal colonies. Official corruption and exploitation only compound the situation. Vote the LDF to power. We will wipe your tears." He promises to evolve a mechanism to interact with the tribal colonies.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

LDF ahead in election campaign in Thiruvananthapuram district
Close contest in Aryanad
Documentary focusses on development of capital city
Squad removes campaign material
`Loading'adjudged best film at JNU film festival in Delhi
Total prohibition from April 20 evening
Science Quiz to mark Technology Day
Tatkal scheme revised
Power theft detected
Fighting boredom
Book released
Around the City
In Tiruvananthapuram Today
Campus Notes

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu