Top leaders add zest to campaigning in Kozhikode Corporation

With just nine days left for the elections to local bodies in the State, campaigning is in full swing in the Kozhikode Corporation, with major parties bringing in top leaders and mobilising support from all quarters.

CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan was in the city on Sunday (November 30) to extend support to party candidates. However, the party has paused intensive campaigning for a few days following the death of Koyilandy MLA and former district panchayat president Kanathil Jameela.

Shyni, LDF candidate in Edakkad division, campaigning in the city on November 30.
| Photo Credit:
K. Ragesh

Meanwhile, candidates are leaving no stone unturned to woo voters. “I have visited every house in my division at least once. As an ASHA worker, I am already a familiar face in this neighbourhood,” said Shyni of the CPI(M), the LDF candidate for the Edakkad ward. She is accompanied by sitting councillor T. Muraleedharan throughout her campaign. She also expects the ward’s decades-long support for CPI(M) candidates to work in her favour.

Saritha Parayeri, NDA candidate in Chevarambalam division, campaigning in the city on November 30.
| Photo Credit:
K. Ragesh

UDF candidate for Eranhipalam ward, C.P. Salim of the Congress, is no newcomer. But contesting in a division that has been a CPI(M) stronghold for 25 years is a challenge. “We want development to reach everyone, irrespective of politics. People are frustrated with corruption in the Corporation and the neglect by the CPI(M). There is also a strong sentiment against the State government,” he said. Mr. Salim had MLA and Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala campaign for him on Saturday (November 29) and expects KPCC president Sunny Joseph to visit soon.

In Chevarambalam ward, NDA candidate Saritha Parayeri of the BJP, the sitting councillor, has completed one round of house visits and is now focusing on family gatherings. Former BJP district president V.K. Sajeevan recently joined her campaign. “I have been able to address some of the long-pending demands of my voters, including establishing a health centre and a ‘Take a Break’ refreshment centre. The response during house visits has been overwhelming,” she said. Chevarambalam ward has remained with the BJP for the past two terms, and Ms. Saritha hopes to retain it.

Meanwhile, the UDF released a ‘chargesheet’ against the Corporation on Saturday.

The ‘building number scam’, the alleged diversion of advertising revenue, alleged extravagance in office renovation, the purported conspiracy behind shifting the Palayam vegetable market to Kalluthankadavu, and alleged corruption in Kudumbashree have also been highlighted in the ‘chargesheet’. Senior party leaders are expected to visit the city in the coming days for campaigning.