Kerala - Kozhikode   

High suspense marks contest in Kozhikode II

Maleeha Raghaviah

Close contest expected in this constituency where IUML takes on INL

KOZHIKODE: The fortunes of the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the Kozhikode - II Assembly constituency is marked by high suspense considering the under currents being manifested in the electoral battle here.

The heat of electioneering is being felt all the more in this prestigious urban constituency, which has a history of returning the candidate of the party elected to power in the State Assembly.

The constituency also happens to be the ground where the two factions of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) are locked in a stiff fight. UDF candidate T.P.M.Saheer of the IUML, who is the sitting MLA, is engaged in a neck-to-neck fight with LDF candidate P.M.A. Salam of the Indian National League (INL), a relatively new face in the electoral politics of Kozhikode city. He is the INL's State general secretary.

The constituency has experienced a mixed trend of electing candidates from both the fronts in turns. P.M. Aboobaker of the INL, who was the Public Works Minister in the E.K.Nayanar Ministry, had been returned to the Assembly from here thrice, while P. Kumaran and Kalpally Madhavan were the Congress stalwarts elected from here. Public Works Minister M.K. Muneer had won in 1991 defeating C.P. Kunhu of the LDF.

In his maiden electoral battle in the 2001 election, Mr. Saheer had proved all calculations wrong by defeating his LDF rival Elamaram Kareem of the CPI(M) by a margin of 787 votes.

For district general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party P.Velayudhan this is the maiden foray into State electoral politics.

BJP candidate K.P.G. Panikker had polled 7,345 votes in the last election making BJP's vote bank crucial for candidates of either Fronts here.

Mr. Saheer is seeking a mandate this time on the aim of `making Kozhikode a noticeable mega city.' His claims include the increasing of 500 Plus Two seats in city schools by allotting the same to four Government High Schools such as NGO Quarters Higher Secondary School, Ganpat Higher Secondary School, Kallayi, Achuthan Girls Higher Secondary School and Vocational Higher Secondary School, Kuttichira. Mr. Saheer says road development of the city taken up by the Public Works Department has been a major achievement, including Oyitty Road, Stadium Road, Rajaji Road, and Pavamani Road.

The work on Kotooly Road started 20 years ago was completed during his tenure. He also claims progress in the approach road to the Kothi Bridge despite initial hiccups.

The LDF candidate has countered Mr.Saheer's claims on development issues as remaining only on paper. The LDF candidate alleges total lack of development of Kozhikode city. "The non implementation of vital projects such as the Japanese - aided drinking water project, a long time need of the city, and the Rs.6 crore-garbage treatment at the Medical College are classic cases," he said.

Mr.Salam says the E.K.Nayanar Ministry had set up an expert committee to study the issue of garbage disposal at the Medical College, but the sitting MLA had lacked initiative to carry the project forward. He also points to the lack of improvement in the inter-linked Kalipoika, Canoly Canal and Swapna Nagari projects.

He alleges that the land acquisition proceedings for the improvement of Francis Road and Mankave Road are being held up because of vested interests.

The ground realities seem to be different this time around. Despite the wave in favour of the LDF as manifested in the Lok Sabha and local bodies elections, the fielding of a non CPI (M) candidate is likely to have the repercussions for the LDF, which places Kozhikode-II as a winnable seat.

In 1996, the constituency had been in the limelight as the IUML had fielded a woman candidate, Khamrunhisa Anwar, from here.

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