Kerala - Others   

Striking a rapport with voters

G. Krishnakumar

LDF seeks a vote for change and UDF for development in Angamaly

ANGAMALY: Edayathodu Colony in Angamaly had an early visitor on Tuesday morning. Despite having spent the night at the `tirunal' celebrations at St. George's Forane Church on Sunday, people welcomed Jose Thettayil, Left Democratic Front candidate in the constituency, with a smile.

"Where are the balloons?" Mr. Thettayil asked a group of children who gathered outside a house. Within seconds, they came up with several balloons distributed by Left Front workers in the area. The candidate's symbol — a woman farm worker holding a handful of harvested paddy corns — is printed on the balloons.

"Please do not forget this symbol. It represents your community too," Mr. Thettayil told a group of women workers getting ready for the day's work. It was only 7 a.m. and the candidate had already started his campaign. In his debut contest, Mr. Thettayil is trying to make his presence felt in the entire constituency. He is taking on P.J. Joy of the United Democratic Front (UDF), who is seeking a fourth term from Angamaly.

"We are giving a personal touch to election work this time," Mr. Thettayil said while giving a handshake to a senior citizen.

Voter apathy

"More than the anti-incumbency factor, there is a general apathy among the voters to the UDF candidate; the ruling front has failed to bring development to the constituency during the last five years," he said. "We are actually asking the people to vote for a change," he added before winding up the door-to-door campaign in the colony.

Mr. Thettayil is counting on his personal relationship with the people struck during his term as chairman of the Angamaly municipality in 1989-90. The man is also a familiar face in cultural circles. A film buff, he was instrumental in launching the film society movement in Angamaly.

The LDF camp is hopeful of getting the support of the Catholic Church — Angamaly has a large Catholic population. The front's poll managers are also cashing in on the resentment among the Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran) workers over Mr. Joy's candidature.

But Mr. Joy does not think this will affect his victory chances and is confident of maintaining his winning streak. "Development is the main plank on which the UDF is fighting this election," he said while getting ready for a hectic day of campaigning starting at F.C.I. Junction in Angamaly. Congress workers had already reached the spot in accordance with the campaign schedule charted out for the day. A vehicle, highlighting on the public address system the UDF Government's achievements during the last five years, heralded the candidate's motorcade to C.K. Colony.

Workers from industrial units around received Mr. Joy as Congressmen shouted pro-UDF slogans. In his short speech, the candidate sought the support of the voters citing the development works initiated in the constituency during the last five years.

"I initiated three major drinking water projects to resolve the water scarcity in the constituency," he said. "The UDF Government facilitated setting up self-financing engineering colleges and starting Plus Two courses in schools. Tourism projects interlinking rural and plantation sectors were also launched during the last five years," he went on.

Before the candidate concluded his speech, party workers started heading towards Parappuram, the next campaign point. On Tuesday, Mr. Joy was scheduled to address over 40 campaign meetings in the constituency.

"I am seeking a vote for continuing the development work initiated in the constituency," Mr. Joy told The Hindu . "During the election meetings, we are also highlighting various development projects launched by the UDF Government."

With campaign reaching its peak, both the fronts are using their entire prowess to woo the 1.59-lakh electorate. And, the battle for Angamaly seems to be heading for an exciting finish.

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

Stories in this Section

Striking a rapport with voters
A multi-cornered fight in the Muslim League fort
Candidates begin door-to-door visit in Paravur
PSC tests for higher secondary teachers
PDP charge against Muslim League
Murder case: collectorate employee arrested
Two killed in accident

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