“Five years ago, I had promised to provide steadfast support in your moments of joy and sorrow. Despite being unaware of the problems faced by the constituency back then, I had promised to improve the standard of living of the people of Vattiyurkavu. I have kept my word. I request all to allow me to represent you yet again,” says K. Muraleedharan, as he addresses a gathering at Ambalamukku on Friday.
As his campaigning nears completion, the incumbent Congress MLA of the Vattiyurkavu constituency appeared confident of repeating, or even bettering, his victory in the Assembly elections of 2011, when he had trounced Cheriyan Philip of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) by margin of 16,167 votes.
Eventful five years
“Rather than raising issues concerning the State politics, I have focused more on the development projects that have been completed and initiated in the constituency during the past five years. It was during this period that the much-delayed construction of the Maruthankuzhy bridge was completed. In addition, the renovation of the Peroorkada-Sasthamangalam-Edapazhanji, PMG-Devaswom Board junction-Vellayambalam and Peroorkada-Nettayam-Manikanteswaram roads were also taken up,” he said.
Mr. Muraleedharan claimed he had also chalked out a development agenda for the next five years.
The proposed works to be undertaken included the construction of the Pattom and Peroorkada underpasses and the development of the Vattiyurkavu junction.
With the constituency covering a major portion of the Thiruvananthapuram city, the major candidates have all come out with such comprehensive development plans to wrest control of the prestigious seat.
Upbeat
Having wound up a major portion of electioneering, LDF candidate, T.N. Seema of the CPI (M), focused on visiting houses and certain institutions in places like Nettayam, Mukkola and Kunnukuzhy on Friday.
The former member of the Rajya Sabha sounded upbeat about her chances in the electoral battle.
“The sitting MLA claims to have undertaken a plethora of developmental activities in the constituency. However, having travelled to the nook and cranny of Vattiyurkavu, I have understood that the constituency has been set along an unsuitable development path driven by wrong priorities. While much focus appears to have been on infrastructural development, healthcare facilities in the region have been largely ignored. The lack of facilities at the General Hospital and Peroorkada district hospital has been a cause for worry for people, particularly those hailing from financially disadvantaged sections. Moreover, despite being the State capital, several households suffer from acute drinking water scarcity. The need for lasting solutions was often disregarded,” she says.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has mounted a strong challenge by fielding its State unit president, Kummanam Rajasekharan, in the constituency.
National leaders
Also, the party has thrown its weight behind the campaign with several prominent leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of Union Ministers addressing public meetings here. Besides accusing the incumbent MLA of failing to exploit the potential of the region, Mr. Rajasekharan attacked both the UDF and the LDF for failing to ensure proper waste management in the city.
“Several colony dwellers continue to live in pitiable conditions. Large sections were deprived of proper housing, water and other basic amenities. This is a matter of shame for the capital city,” he said.
