Mattannur, one of the three new constituencies in the district, is set to see development initiatives that take it to new horizons. But who will be the people's pilot who takes Mattannur through the course of history when the proposed Kannur international airport takes wings?
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has put the mantle on none other that its powerful Central committee member E.P. Jayarajan, who is in the electoral fray after a gap of 20 years. Taking on the CPI(M) strongman is Joseph Chavara of the Socialist Janata (Democratic), a constituent of the United Democratic Front (UDF). Biju Elakkuzhi is the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate.
The new constituency is considered a stronghold of the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), a claim backed by the results of the 2009 Lok Sabha elections and the local body elections in October last. Of the nine local bodies in the constituency, all except one are ruled by the LDF. The front had secured a lead of 13,000-odd votes in the Assembly segment in the Lok Sabha elections, which it doubled in the local body polls.
While the well-oiled campaign machinery of the LDF draws its strength from the public perception of the constituency as a LDF bastion, the UDF side is pinning its hopes on undercurrents, which it hopes to work in its favour. No wonder, UDF campaign managers are highlighting an erosion of what they call communist austerity in the lifestyle of party leaders. The BJP, on its part, is focussing its attention on a show of strength to prove its support base in the constituency.
Prominent among the developmental issues being highlighted by the LDF is the airport project. The ruling front sees it as one of the great development initiatives of its government. The foundation stone for the airport project was laid during the term of the LDF government, they say. But the UDF side is quick to point out that the project is on the launch pad because of the keen interest taken by the previous UDF government and the approval given by the United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre. They suggest that Mr. Jayarajan is fielded as a candidate here with the objective of ensuring the party's hegemony over the execution of the project.
The Mattannur constituency includes Mattannur municipality and Keezhallur, Koodali and Thillankery panchayats, which were earlier part of the Peravur constituency, Chittariparamba, Malur, Mangattidam and Kolayad panchayats, which formed part of the Koothuparamba constituency before delimitation, and Padiyur-Kallyad panchayat, delinked from the Irikkur constituency. The constituency has 1,60,000-odd voters.
