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Campaigning hinges on local issues

Biju Govind

Electoral battle is purely political, though the LDF candidate has an upper hand

Kasaragod: Braving the summer heat, mainstream political parties and their candidates are out to woo the voters of Uduma constituency in Kasaragod district. State and national level leaders are being roped in for the last lap of electioneering in this constituency, which goes to polls on Wednesday. Some of the leaders campaigning in Udma and neighbouring constituencies are CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala, IUML leaders P.K. Kunhalikutty and Union Minister for External Affairs E. Ahamed.

In the fray are K.V. Kunhiraman of the CPI(M), DCC president P. Gangadharan Nair and B. Ravindran Nair of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Mr. Kunhiraman, who won the seat in 2001 elections by a margin of over 9,500 votes, is seeking re-election, while Mr. Gangadharan is testing his electoral fortunes in this Communist stronghold for the first time. Mr. Ravindran Nair is hoping to improve the performance of his party. BJP candidate R. Ganeshan had secured 11,000 votes in the 2001 elections.

Campaigning mainly hinges on local issues. But the electoral battle is purely political where the LDF candidate has an upper hand. It has been winning hands down in the last two elections with victory margins difficult to be overtaken in these elections. However, the candidates are leaving no stone unturned to win the hearts of the voters.

Criss-crossing of mike-fitted jeeps announcing the names of candidates, colourful posters of candidates and street corner meetings have literally woken the sleepy hamlets in the fag end of the campaign. Mr. Kunhiraman says that he had done much for the development of the constituency even though he was sitting in the Opposition benches. From the MLA funds, he had spent nearly Rs.2.5 crores for the construction of school buildings and many of the roads especially those linking with tourism projects. He also touches on the themes of the KSTP Road Development project and the Pallikara Railway over bridge, which remains to be completed.

The CPI(M) is also highlighting the simplicity, easy-go nature and accessibility of Mr. Kunhiraman. He is usually seen travelling in KSRTC buses and riding on a motorbike. He says he is now known in the constituency unlike in the last elections.

On the other hand, Mr. Gangadharan Nair is primarily focusing on the under development of the constituency. He accuses the MLA of neglecting the cashew and coconut growers, which forms a substantial chunk of the electorate. The collapse of the agricultural sector is being projected by him at his election rallies. Nothing has been done to encourage tourism, especially in Bekal. At the same time he also claims that the Navodaya School and Government Polytechnic at Periya have become a reality due his painstaking efforts.

One of the biggest hurdles Mr. Gangadharan is facing is the non-cooperation of the DIC(K) workers, especially at Chemmanad grama panchayat where DIC(K) president Padoor Kunhamba has openly declared his support to the LDF candidate. The DIC(K) which has significant influence in some pocket will play spoilsport to the chances of Mr. Gangadharan. The DIC(K) State leadership has expelled Mr. Kunhamba from the party for aligning with the Left parties.

While the LDF is also trying to raise the Endosulfan issue, it has not been received well with the voters as the Congress activities have countered with the argument that the UDF Government had not sprayed the pesticide in the last five years.

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