The voters at the Kattuvayal colony, known for water-logged roads and poor drainage system, are emerging as the decisive factor in the election to the Nadakkavu ward of the Kozhikode Corporation.
In fact, the Nadakkavu ward is now witnessing a triangular contest with the entry of K. Shybu of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the electoral fray. The other main contenders are councillor P. Kishenchand of the Janata Dal (United) and Subalal Padakkal of the Janata Dal (Secular).
Previously the colony residents refused to entertain any candidates or political parties from entering their compounds. They had also threatened to boycott the polls.
But on Monday the residents, after feeling betrayed by UDF and LDF, welcomed BJP candidate Shybu to their colony.
He was accompanied by the party’s State vice-president M.T. Ramesh and other local leaders to canvass votes.
C. Sheeba, secretary of the Kattuvayal Ambedkar Vanita Welfare Society, says, “Usually parties come here only during election time. They make tall promises to repair the roads and de-silt the drains. We are fed-up of their false assurances.”
She said the colony representatives met the Corporation’s health department several times to find a solution. “But to no avail. Now the residents will also have to face the threat of floods when the Coast Guard constructs its staff quarters at nearby Ashokapuram,” Ms. Sheeba adds.
K. Unnikrishnan says that the residents are unhappy with the attitude of the civic body. “The colony has not seen any development till now. The water-logging is severe during the rainy season. This is apart from the acute shortage of drinking water,” he says.
