Even as political parties are getting into the election mode, the Kerala Congress (M) [KC-M] and its sitting Member of Parliament from Kottayam Jose K. Mani launched their campaign at a function attended by senior United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders.
The occasion was the laying of the foundation stone for the proposed Science City at Kozha, nearly two km from Kuravilngad, where the programme was organised on Saturday.
The programme not only provided Mr. Jose K. Mani an occasion to place his achievements before the voters, but also to pronounce his campaign theme. The accomplishments, including the six major projects he had got sanctioned in the realm of higher education had a message: that he was the new-generation leader coming up with projects for the benefit of the new generation, as his father and Finance Minister K.M. Mani said in his speech.
Education hubThough almost all the projects were still on the drawing board, Mr. Jose K. Mani, a former banker, had succeeded in completing all the preliminary formalities including identification of land and sanctioning of the initial cache of funds, making it clear that the projects would move ahead. The projects would turn the constituency into an educational hub, he said.
The projects included a regional centre of the Indian Institute of Mass Commission (IIMC) coming up at Pampady; Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT); Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (both near Pala); and the proposals for the Ekalavya Model Residential School; and the Regional vocational Training Centre.
The programme saw leaders such as A.K. Antony and Oommen Chandy and some young entrepreneurs, who were special invitees, lauding Mr. Jose K. mani’s efforts.
Confidence factorUnlike last time, when he was the underdog, Mr. Jose K. Mani could face the electorate with confidence this time, especially when the Opposition was yet to find an opponent.
In fact, Mr. Jose K. Mani had already commenced his low-key campaign, meeting key persons, interacting with social organisations, and making occasional family visits. With an impressive launch on Saturday, the pace may now change gear.
Seat issueThe KC(M) was in the process of preparing for a dialogue with the Congress for a second seat in the elections. Party insiders said two issues were involved. While the party was unanimous in seeking a second berth, there were two opinions as to whether they should ask for Idukki, the seat given to the former P.J. Joseph faction by the Left Democratic Front (LDF), or whether they should take a lenient view regarding the constituency.
While the first line of thinking comes from those close to the former Joseph faction leader Francis George, who had represented Idukki twice, the second one emanates from the camp led by P.C. George. The demand for Idukki had attracted sharp criticism from P.T. Thomas, sitting MP, and the Congress.
