LDF to begin campaign for assembly polls

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 1 (PTI) Closely following the''Kerala Mochana Yatra'' campaign of United Democratic Front(UDF) led by Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy, the rulingCPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front would begin two ''jathas''(processions) ahead of the coming assembly elections inKerala.

The journeys across Kerala, titled ''development jathas''would be flagged off from Manjeswaram in Kasaragod andErnakulam on February 18, an LDF press release here said.

The northern jatha would be led by Food and Civilsupplies Minister C Divakaran and the southern jatha would beled by Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.

The northern ''jatha'' from Manjeswaram to Thrissur, to beled by CPI leader C Divakaran, would be inaugurated by ChiefMinister V S Achuthanandan at Manjeswaram on February 18.

Education Minister M A Baby (CPI-M), A A Aziz MLA (RSP),Devaswom Minister Kadannappally Ramachandran (Congress-S),Mathew T Thomas MLA (JD-S), Uzhavoor Vijayan (NCP), ScariaThomas (Kerala Congress P C Thomas faction) would be membersin the tour of the northern route.

The southern part of the ''jatha'' from Ernakulam toThiruvananthapuram would be led by Home Minister KodiyeriBalakrishnan. CPI state secretary C K Chandrappan wouldinaugurate it at Ernakulam on the same day.

Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Rathnakaran (CPI), WaterResources Minister N K Premachandran (RSP), Transport MinisterJose Thettayil (JD-S), Ports Minister V Surendran Pillai(Kerala Congress-P C Thomas faction) would be among those inthe ''jatha,'' the release said.