Ranni is witnessing a tight three-cornered electoral contest, this time around. Raju Abraham, sitting MLA, of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has entered the electoral arena seeking a fifth term from the constituency.
The Congress has fielded Mariyamma Cherian, wife of former MLA M.C. Cherian, hoping to recapture its fort, which it lost to Mr. Abraham 20 years ago.
Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam taluk president K.Padmakumar of the Bharat Dharma Jana Sena is the National Democratic Alliance candidate here.
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Mr. Abraham looks calm on his arrival at a rousing reception at Perinad. “We could do a lot in giving a facelift to the Ranni Assembly segment in the past 20 years. Victory of the LDF candidate will sustain the constituency’s growth profile,” he said.
“The people of Ranni have already decided to elect the LDF nominee for a fifth term to the Assembly,” Mr. Abraham says.
The UDF camp is confident of a big win for their candidate who has proved her political prowess by winning the district panchayat division.
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Constituency tour
A well-attended constituency tour of Ms. Cherian is a testimony to the united UDF effort. “The 20-year LDF representation of Ranni has stunted the constituency’s development and it is time for rescuing Ranni from the clutches of the LDF,” she says
The NDA has put up a spirited campaign. BJP national president Amit Shah addressed a mammoth election rally in Ranni town a few days ago, suggesting the importance the party has given to the Ranni seat.
“I am part of the NDA that stands firm for strengthening the secular, democratic values of India. I am seeking support from the people of Ranni for extending Kerala’s strong backing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his resolve to convert India into a fully developed country,” Mr. Padmakumar said at an election meeting.
Mr. Padmakumar said he was confident of his electoral prospects.