Election campaign picks up momentum in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite sweltering heat conditions and a lull in campaigning against the backdrop of the Kollam temple tragedy, canvassing for the May 16 assembly polls in Kerala is slowly picking up momentum with leaders of political parties criss crossing the state, seeking votes.

The poll campaign had taken a back seat, especially in the southern districts of Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram against the backdrop of the Kollam temple fireworks tragedy on April 10, that had claimed 108 lives.

However, the election campaign has now gained momentum.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who was busy reviewing rescue and rehabilitation of the tragedy victims, has drawn up a hectic poll campaign for himself in the next few days.

The CM, heading the ruling Congress-led UDF campaign along with KPCC President V M Sudheeran and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, will be addressing a series of poll meetings in the coming days.

Chandy's scheduled campaign programmes include addressing poll meetings in Ernakulam, and in northern district of Palakkad on April 16, besides his home constituency Puthuppally in Kottayam and in Alappuzha on April 17.

V S Achuthanandan, the 93-year old CPI(M) veteran and star campaigner for party headed LDF, will tour the northern districts till the end of this month.

The Veteran communist leader would be addressing at least three meetings in all the districts.

While one will be in the morning, two will be in the evening, apparently due to hot weather conditions prevailing in the state, party sources said.

Achuthanandan will file his nomination at his constituency in Malampuzha on April 25.

He would attend panchayat level meetings and family gatherings in the coming days, party sources said.