The streets wear a deserted look as the blistering sun is out in full force over Pulinkunnu at Kuttanad. Standing under the shade of a tree, a man holding a microphone is ripping apart the Union and State governments. After listing a catalogue of anti-people policies and shortcomings, he goes on to describe the achievements of the incumbent Member of Parliament Kodikunnil Suresh in the last 10 years.
As the local politician draws his speech to a close, the campaign song from the convoy of the candidate is getting louder. Then there is a bursting of firecrackers. Mr. Suresh, United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate in the Mavelikara constituency, arrives in a specially designed open vehicle accompanied by UDF workers.
He gets down from the vehicle, then waves and shakes hands with people in a hurry in a restaurant and in front of shops. The microphone is handed over to him. In a short and pinpointed speech, he promises to constitute a development authority for Kuttanad if a government headed by Rahul Gandhi is formed at the Centre after the elections.
At Pulinkunnu Jankar Kadavu, his next stop before the lunch break, Mr. Suresh is more aggressive in lambasting the Narendra Modi-led Union government and the State government. Invoking the Sabarimala issue albeit indirectly, he says this election is a fight between those who stand to protect the beliefs and those trying to destroy it.
The UDF is hoping to cash in on the religious and caste equations and various development works. But, Mr. Suresh is facing a major backlash for his "lack of show" during the last year's devastating floods. especially in the worst-hit Kuttanad and Chengannur in his bid to complete a hat-trick of victories.
On the other side of the constituency, LDF candidate Chittayam Gopakumar of the CPI is on a whirlwind tour of Changanassery. A composed and confident looking Mr. Gopakumar, sitting MLA representing the Adoor Assembly constituency, is banking on the anti-incumbency factor and the good work done by the LDF government.
The LDF candidate is taking up local development issues and matters impacting wider society to garner voters. Mr. Gopakumar urges the people to vote for a change. The LDF is careful not to raise the Sabarimala and Church issues, but the stance of some of the religious and community organisations may throw a spanner in their work. The NSS which vehemently opposed the LDF government on the Sabarimala issue has already made its stand clear by dissolving its Mavelikara taluk union after the union administrative committee members accorded a reception to the LDF candidate last month.
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate Thazhava Sahadevan of the Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), who entered the election fray late, too is engaged in a spirited campaign.
