Kerala   

A newcomer on strong turf

CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Geetha Gopi (left), CPI candidate at the Nattika Assembly constituency, during the election campaign.

Nattika: She appears to be on strong turf. Though Geetha Gopi, the LDF candidate in the Nattika seat, is making her debut in Assembly elections, she does not have the diffidence of a new-comer.

After all, she is no novice in politics and campaigning. She has been elected twice as the chairperson of the Guruvayur municipality. In her political career spanning 16 years, she has neither been carried away by bouquets nor put off by brickbats.

She came into limelight through her efforts to make Guruvayur plastic-free. During her term, the Guruvayur municipality witnessed many development projects.

In her campaign, she focuses on women's issues. She has the uncanny knack of winning the attention of women as she tours the electorate. She is the lone woman candidate of the CPI in the district. A patient listener, she encourages the women to pour out their woes.

Hundreds of women voluntarily accompany her as she moves from one home to the other. “Reaching the benefits of the welfare schemes to the marginalised will be my priority,” she says.

She observes that empowerment of women is possible only by making them economically independent.

“Women should have the courage to fight for their right to equal space in society,” she argues. With the change in constituency contours, Cherpu, Paralam, Chazhur and Thannyam panchayats of the erstwhile Cherpu constituency and Anthikadu of Manalur constituency have been added to Nattika.

Valappad, Nattika, and Thalikkulam of the former constituency have been retained.

Vikas Chakrapani, son of former Communist leader C. K. Chakrapani, is the UDF candidate in Nattika. The BJP has fielded Scheduled Caste Morcha leader Sarju Thoyakkavu.

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

Stories in this Section

VS' speeches may harm LDF: Ravi
KPCC charge
Culture scape
Keen contest likely in all constituencies in Alappuzha
Vibrant scene
For common good
The writing on the wall
A newcomer on strong turf
Ruling pattern will change: Bardhan
Vote for peace and development: Samastha
Nemmara Vallangi Vela
Seeking support
Long wait
Shop set ablaze in Nadapuram
UDF has to tackle hostile SJD in Chittur
Karat lashes out at Congress
Clarify on tsunami funds: Chandy
SJD not to campaign for UDF
Chavara witnessing tough contest

Copyright © 2011, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu