Candidates and their parties seem to be leaving nothing to chance in the Manjeswaram Assembly constituency going to the polls on October 21 as they anticipate a close race.
This is the impression left by M.C. Kamaruddin who, after campaigning in the constituency, has headed to Mumbai to reach out to voters residing there.
The United Democratic Front (UDF), which faced a tough battle in 2016 from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), sees the bypoll as a litmus test, especially after the Left Democratic Front (LDF) nominated a native, Shankar Rai, as its candidate. Though it is predicted that it may help split the votes of the NDA and benefit the IUML candidate, the UDF has decided not to take any chances. It is stepping up its campaign to bring as many voters to its side to win the election.
Interestingly, the Manjeswaram constituency had witnessed an increase in voter turnout during the last elections.
Even though in the past elections about 65% of the electorate voted, in 2016 the voting increased by over 70%. The increase was attributed to voters who lived outside the State, especially in places such as Mumbai and in the Middle East countries.
It is believed that 30% of the voters of Manjeswaram are in places such as Mumbai, Goa, Pune and Bengaluru and in the Gulf countries.
UDF election convener A.K.M. Ashraf said there were about 2,000 voters from Manjeswaram constituency residing in Mumbai. He said that over 30,000 people of the constituency were in difference places in the country and abroad. The party members were conducting meetings and encouraging them to vote during the elections.
“I personally went and met the people in Mumbai and requested them to come and vote during the election and they have replied positively,” he said and added that Mr. Kamaruddin would meet the voters on Monday.
Meanwhile, the leaders of the LDF and the NDA camps said they had not made any plans of meeting people who resided outside the State. They said they were focusing on voters in the constituency. If necessary they would meet people in other parts of the country, they added.
