The intensity of the election campaign is palpable in Ponnani constituency, where the Left Democratic Front (LDF) is taking on Indian Union Muslim League's sitting MP E.T. Mohammed Basheer by fielding former Congressman V. Abdurahman.
A local businessman, Mr. Abdurahman is approaching the voters by offering them "a change for the better." The vigorous campaign that Mr. Abdurahman and team have unleashed in Ponnani, especially in the Assembly segments of Ponnani, Tirur, Tanur, and Tavanur, is of such intensity that election watchers are apt to think that the LDF is poised to give a jolt to the IUML.
The LDF campaign strategy is almost the same as that in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. By fielding Husain Randathani in 2009, the LDF had caused a flutter in Ponnani. But the experiment had failed, thanks to Mr. Basheer’s popularity and stature. The IUML is seeking votes once again for Mr. Basheer by projecting his clean political image.
‘‘We are projecting clean politics, and not a politics of opportunism,’’ said P. Abdul Hameed, district general secretary of the IUML. The United Democratic Front (UDF) appears confident that whatever be Mr. Abdurahman’s affluence and influence, he will not be a match for Mr. Basheer. Though not as loud as that of the LDF, the IUML machinery is silent but active in Ponnani. Both candidates have been taking recourse to all means of electioneering, especially by using IT-based platforms. The reassurance being given by the Congress leadership in the wake of the support displayed by certain Youth Congress members to Mr. Abdurahman has added to the IUML's confidence.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president V.M. Sudheeran had, a few days ago, warned the Congressmen of stern action if they worked against the UDF candidate. "We have no worries. The Congress is with us," said Mr. Hameed. Nonetheless, both fronts are making calculations taking the new players in the fray into consideration. Social Democratic Party of India's (SDPI) V.T. Iqramul Haq, Aam Aadmi Party's P.V. Shylock, and NH 17 Action Forum's T.P. Abu Lais (Independent) are the other players worth watching in Ponnani.
The SDPI has been raising the mantra of a new district with Tirur as its headquarters. Malappuram district, according to the SDPI, is too large to get the attention required for its development. Malappuram is the largest in the State in terms of population and people's representatives. The Welfare Party of India and the RMP are supporting Mr. Lais, who is raising the issues of those living under the threat of losing their land for the National Highway 17 expansion.
Though the new players are pulling crowds to their stump speeches, the ballot has to show the real influence they have in the voters. The BJP has fielded its district president K. Narayanan in Ponnani. The party expects to improve its vote share from the 7.5 per cent of 2009. "We are confident that we will get more than nine per cent votes this time," said a senior BJP leader.
The Sunni faction led by Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar has not announced its support to any candidate. Most of their votes, however, are likely to be polled for Mr. Basheer.
