On the way to south Chellanam, the idyllic coastal stretch that marks the border between Ernakulam and Alappuzha districts, the police have set up a checkpoint to monitor vehicles criss-crossing the boundary for unauthorised movement of cash to splurge on campaign.
Not far away, the campaign of United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate and Ernakulam District Congress Committee president Mohammed Shiyas was set to begin near St. George Church, whose renovation remains stalled midway. The campaign spot could be heard before it was seen thanks to songs blaring from loudspeakers and percussion beats filling the air.
Workers in tricolour hats, carrying flags and shawls emblazoned with the Congress symbol, waited eagerly for the candidate, who arrived in an SUV nearly half an hour behind schedule. After a hurried breakfast at a supporter’s home, Mohammed Shiyas almost sprinted to the Missionaries of Charity convent nearby urged on by campaign aides conscious of the ticking clock.
“Elections to Parliament and local bodies were warning shots by the people, but the LDF failed to learn the lessons. Now, voters are determined to vote them out. They are focusing on the communal makeup of the constituency to talk up their prospects, while covering up their failure over the past decade to address basic issues like drinking water shortages and healthcare,” he said.
Nearly 20 km away, at his election committee office in Thoppumpady, two-time sitting MLA and Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate K.J. Maxy appeared unruffled. Having taken a break from house visits, he had just returned after meeting Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan and actor Mammootty.
“I don’t feel like I’m part of an election campaign since meeting people is something I do anyway. My chances have only improved in this third contest thanks to the development and welfare work I’ve carried out over the past decade. Even if the battle is fought purely on political grounds, I will still have a clear advantage because people are well aware of my work,” Mr. Maxy said.
Outside the CPI(M)’s Kochi area committee office, workers were busy repairing his campaign vehicle ahead of a gruelling tour of the constituency from Palluruthy to Thoppumpady. The vehicle tour is planned from 3 p.m. onwards and will continue late into the night to avoid the searing daytime heat.
Meanwhile, Twenty20 candidate Xavier Julappan, stepping out of Our Lady of Health Church in Saude, sounded confident. Claiming to be a familiar face in the constituency due to his long involvement in social work, he recalled his foot tour of Kochi in 1996 to publicise a West Kochi development document. Even 20% of the recommendations in that document have not been implemented, he lamented.
“The combined vote share of Twenty20 and the BJP comes to around 30,000. BJP workers are charged up and aiming at victory rather than just improving their share. I am already familiar to the people here, and that is a big plus,” said Mr. Julappan, whose campaign on Saturday was centred around Moolamkuzhy and Thoppumpady.
