Kochi : People’s verdict is barely hours away as Thrikkakara prepares to keep pace with Nava Kerala development surrounding it. The vigorous bypoll campaign ended with a spirited finale Sunday evening. It is silent campaign day on Monday. LDF spearheaded poll campaign with popular doctor Dr. Jo Joseph as its frontman and an agenda encompassing Thrikkakara’s politics and development. By contrast, UDF took off with whipping up controversies hoping to mar prospects but ended up each time gulping pill of its own making.
As the champion of development, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, descended the scene, campaign rose to to a whole new level. Campaigning then on, and to the very end, hinged on question posed by CM : “Who will Thrikkakara side with for its development?”. CM put forward to the people, plans of K-Rail, metro Rail, water Metro and mega roads that would transform Thrikkakara into strategic travel hub. Also proposed was a playground of its own for each of the villages.
All through this, UDF remained without even being able to come out with a poll manifesto. Dissent brewing inside of the camp made matters worse. Senior Congress leader KV Thomas backed LDF’s development plans and joined the Left campaign. UDF District Chairman Dominic Presentation and DCC General Secretary MB Muraleedharan openly slammed UDF’s candidate selection saying it was solely decision of Opposition Leader VD Satheesan and KPCC President K Sudhakaran. DCC General Secretary MB Muraleedharan too came up with scathing criticism. He also announced his backing for the LDF candidate.
UDF had begun personal attacks of Dr. Jo right from the beginning, including propagating of a fake video with sleaze contents. Not long after, AICC member Simi Rosabel criticised VD Satheesan for justifying circulation of the vulgar video.
