The Congress and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leaders lunged at the opportunity that a three-hour delay in the scheduled programme of Sonia Gandhi on the Kozhikode beach provided to display their oratory skills to a mammoth crowd who had gathered to listen to the UPA chairperson.
Ms. Gandhi was in the district to campaign for the United Democratic Front candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
As the UDF supporters started entering the main programme venue by 2 p.m. in large numbers, the Congress leaders had no alternative but to try a volley of uninterrupted speeches to hold their attention.
Some of the Lok Sabha candidates used the chance to reiterate their promises and explain their achievements so far as sitting Parliament members.
Though the crowd was told that the chief guest would arrive by 5 p.m., the scheduled programme got further delayed due to some unexpected changes. Ms. Gandhi reached Kozhikode only by 8 p.m. She had to cancel the helicopter journey following unfavourable weather conditions and opt for a flight from Nedumbassery to Karipur airport. She left the venue by 8.30 p.m. UDF candidates Mullappally Ramachandran, M.K. Raghavan, M.I. Shanawaz, E.T. Mohammed Basheer, and E. Ahmed were present during the arrival of the chief guest in Kozhikode.
The police had made elaborate security arrangements and people were allowed into the venue after proper checking. The traffic was also controlled in several city roads for the safe arrival and return of the UPA chairperson.
