KOLLAM: Punalur is proving too hot for both Mr A. Younus Kunju of the Indian Union Muslim League and sitting MLA K. Raju of the CPI, not only because of the rising temperature, but also owing to various issues plaguing the people and the lack of development of the constituency.
Mr Younus Kunju, IUML district president, is the lone candidate of the party in south Kerala, who is trying his electoral fortunes for the sixth time in the state. Only once he had won-- from Malappuram in 1991. After tasting defeat four times previously at the hands of RSP candidate A.A. Azeez in Eravipuram, he has now shifted his base to Punalur.
Mr Raju does not have much development to claim in his constituency, except the renovation of Punalur hanging bridge and reopening of Punalur paper mill. Major issues like wage hike and employment of the plantation workers across eastern Kollam under the constituency still remain unaddressed.
The plantation workers of both private and public sector, including the rehabilitation plantation, form a major vote bank of Punalur. The votes of the tribals in Kulathupuzha, Achankovil, and Aryankavu panchayats will also be a decisive factor in the poll outcome.
Mr Raju, who has won from here during the last two terms, is concentrating on tribals and plantation workers by organising family meetings and assuring the workers of better living conditions.
He had defeated M.V. Raghavan of CMP in 2006 by 7,925 votes and Johnson Abraham of Congress in 2011 by over 18,000 votes. NDA candidate Sisil Fernandez of Kerala Congress (P.C. Thomas faction) who enjoys the support of BDJS is banking on the Ezhava votes.
