A large number of people thronged the streets to witness a roadshow led by senior Congress leader A.K. Antony that was taken out across the coastal wards of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation on Tuesday.
During the course of the rally, Mr. Antony laid stress on the lack of basic facilities and the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) front’s alleged neglect of the residents of the coastal wards.
He said Thiruvananthapuram, which was once regarded as among the most developed cities in the country, lagged behind others on several fronts in recent times.
“The lack of development projects has impeded the progress of the region. The wait for unhindered drinking water supply and health care facilities in the coastal areas continues. The public must vote for a change in governance so as to ensure that the city regained its lost glory,” Mr. Antony said while addressing a gathering at Poonthura, where the road show got under way at 3.45 p.m.
The leaders who accompanied Mr. Antony, included Health Minister V.S. Sivakumar, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) vice president M.M. Hassan, and general secretary Sarathchandra Prasad, among others.
Communal forces
Seeking votes for the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidates, they appealed to the voters of the coastal region, who were predominantly from the minority communities, to take a stand against communal forces who sought to disturb the secular harmony.
The roadshow passed through the areas of Beemapally, Cheriyathura, Valiyathura, Thope, Shangumughom, Kannanthura and Vettukad to end at Kochuveli by around 6 p.m.
‘Thiruvananthapuram lags behind other cities on several fronts in recent times.’
