The family of UDF Lok Sabha candidate for Chalakudy Benny Behanan grabbed television news time and sizeable social media attention on Friday. Venu Thomas, with his wife, Jane Venu, in tow, seemed to have made an impression by campaigning on behalf of his father who was temporarily incapacitated by a mild heart attack on April 1.
Footage of the couple handling voters at their native village in Vengola is being circulated widely on social media and instant messaging platforms. They were seen distributing election pamphlets and interacting with voters in a neighbourhood-level door-to-door campaign in the company of local UDF leaders. Mr. Venu is a software engineer. Congress workers said his mother, Sherly Benny, and sister, Veena Thomas, are also doing their mite for Mr. Behanan’s electioneering.
Mr. Behanan is expected to return to the fray on Saturday. He is currently convalescing after an angioplasty procedure at a private hospital in Kochi.
Congress MLAs P.T. Thomas and V. D. Satheeshan have taken over the reins of Mr. Behanan's campaign. Congress legislators Roji M. John and Eldo Abraham are assisting them. Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and other high-profile leaders are expected to tour Chalakudy on Mr. Behanan's behalf in the coming days.
G. Anand
