Thiruvambadi witnesses high-voltage campaign

Kozhikode, Nov 30 (UNI) With the electioneering nearing the final stage, Thiruvambadi Assembly constituency in Kerala witnessed high-voltage campaigning by candidates of the main political formations, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Opposition United Democratic Front(UDF).

Just four days left for the byelection, both the principal contenders were engaged in a do or die battle in the constituency spearheaded by their top leadership.

The main fight is between LDF candidate George M Thomas of the CPI(M) and UDF's K V Ummer of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in the December 4 bypoll, necessitated by the death of CPI(M) member Mathai Chacko.

While CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan was spearheading the LDF campaign from the front with state ministers in toe visiting every nook and corner of the constituency, Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ramesh Chennithala headed the UDF battlefront, comprised of Union Ministers Vayalar Ravi and E Ahamed and other top leaders.

Defence Minister A K Antony is scheduled to visit the contituency tomorrow to add vigour to UDF war horses in their bid to recapture the seat, represented by them in the Assembly since its delimitation since 1977, except 2001.

Poll observers assign slight advantage for the LDF as they had already completed seven rounds of campaigning whereas the UDF failed to match their rivals with the nearing of election date.

The LDF campaign managers were highlighting the point that the constituency would have an added benfit if it voted for the ruling coalition as a treasury bench member could take up their cause with ease than an opposition legislator.

The unconditional support extended by the NCP, an LDF partner, even after the merger of the Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran) with that party recently, was another added advantage, they claimed.

Moreover, Muslim outfits such as People's Democratic Party and Jamaat-e-Islami have extended their support to the LDF this time as well.

However, it was not so easy for the LDF to retain the seat as the Achuthanandan government had "failed" to meet the aspirations of the people despite giving many promises, UDF leaders said.

Although the government was in office for a short period of six months, it failed to start functioning effectively due to factional fued in the CPI (M), heading the coalition government, they pointed out.

The Christian community, which has a strong presence in the 160,983 voters constituency, was an aggrieved lot as the stand taken by the government on self-financing college issue had hurt their sentiments, they argued.

A raid by the government at the Muringoor Divine Retreat Centre in the recent past would also go against the interests of the LDF, they claimed.

Retaining Thirvambadi is important for the LDF as it is facing byelection for the first time after assuming office in May last.

It is equally important for the UDF as its candidates had won all the elections held since the delimination of the constituency in 1977, except last time.

A pocket-borough of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a UDF partner, a win would be a morale booster for the party, which romped home with a comfortable majority in the elections held since 1991.

Moreover, winning the seat would be sweet revenge for the 2006 electoral defeat of party veterans like P K Kunhalikutty, E T Mohammed Basheer and M K Muneer.

Apart from Mr Thomas and Mr Ummer, there were four other candidates, including BJP's Giresh Tevally, in the fray.

UNI PCH DK1119