At 7.30 a.m., Dean Kuriakose, the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate in the Idukki Lok Sabha constituency, is busy interacting with people at the Kattappana bus stand. Daily wage workers, in a rush to reach plantations, stop for a moment to wish the candidate.
He is hopeful of a victory, though he was defeated by his present rival Joice George, a Left Democratic Front (LDF)-independent fielded by the High Range Samrakshana Samithy (HSS), by over 50,000 votes in the last election. The Western Ghats reports were then crucial for Idukki and there was a clear wave in favour of Mr. George. The Idukki diocese also had supported Mr. George then.
This time, however, the Church has maintained equal distance from the two fronts. The massive devastation in the district after last year’s floods and the suicide of eight farmers in the recent months occupy voters’ minds the most.
Mr. Kuriakose, addressing the public from stages put up on main towns, asks them to vote for him to save the crisis-ridden farm sector. He blames the LDF government for the crisis, which resulted in farmers’ suicides, and the failure in rehabilitation of flood victims. Mr. Kuriakose is into the second phase of campaigning and addresses at least 30 public meetings a day.
The early bird
Mr. George, with the advantage of an early start, has visited the seven Assembly segments, comprising Idukki and Ernakulam districts, thrice.
The candidate appears at each junction of the Peermade Assembly constituency with a motorcycle cavalcade. After a few minutes’ speech, he mingles with the public, telling them that issues related to the Western Ghats are still pertinent. At tea plantation areas, he approaches the estate workers, promising a special package for the farm and plantation sectors.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers go to each house to campaign for Mr. George. An election manager says women confront them with questions on the Sabarimala issue. “We explained to them the circumstances. Most voters were positive and we could clear their doubts on farm crisis too,” he said.
Hopeful of change
Biju Krishnan of the Bharatiya Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate, believes this election will be different as voters are aware of development projects taken up by the NDA government. He started his campaign in Devikulam Assembly constituency from Pallivasal and moved to Munnar and Kanthallur.
Mr. Krishnan meets voters in drought-hit areas and promises a pro-farmer government. He says the constituency has undergone changes only because of the funds allotted by the Centre, and lays stress on the need for a stable government to complete the works. Mr. Krishnan believes that the warm reception given to him by the voters is a pointer towards change.
