Star campaigners to liven up poll scene in Ernakulam

Political parties are going the extra mile to woo various segments of voters including professionals and youth.

With 10 days left for polling in the Lok Sabha elections, campaigning is picking up steam in Ernakulam constituency.

Besides making their presence felt in the constituency through their workers and leaders, major political fronts are bringing in their star campaigners to Ernakulam in the coming days.

Distribution of leaflets that feature the achievements of the candidates and governments, and those exposing the failure of rival parties, fronts and governments are being distributed across the constituency.

Leading the pack of leaders in Ernakulam is Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who will reach Kochi on April 6. Mr. Singh will seek vote for his Cabinet colleague K.V. Thomas at a function in the city. The Congress leadership is looking for a suitable venue for the Prime Minister to address the voters.

Union Defence Minister A.K. Antony will reach the constituency on April 3 and address three public meetings.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will kick off his tour of the constituency on April 1 and attend four public meetings. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala will address five meetings in and around the constituency on April 2.

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) is bringing in its national leaders including CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat and CPI leaders D. Raja and Annie Raja.

Mr. Karat will address voters on April 5 at a function to be held near Ernakulam Town Hall.

Opposition leader V.S. Achuthanandan will speak at Tripunithura on Monday. He has two public meetings for the day in the constituency.

CPI(M) State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan and CITU leader A.K. Padmanabhan are also scheduled to attend various public meetings during the week.

Mr. Raja will be in the district for two days starting April 3.

The State BJP leadership, which brought in its former national president Venkiah Naidu, is looking for L.K. Advani to take its campaign to the next level.

BJP State president V. Muraleedharan and party national secretary P.K. Krishnadas will tour the district later this week.

Focus on professionals

Political formations are going an extra mile to garner votes and are targeting various segments of voters including professionals and youth.

Professionals are being persuaded to vote in the election by major political parties including the Congress, the CPI(M) and the BJP. The campaign managers are reaching out to these segments through personal contacts. Special sessions with the candidates and party leaders are also being arranged for them.