THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kesavadasapuram ward is all set to witness an intense electoral battle in the forthcoming elections to the local bodies.
The main contest is among LDF, UDF and BJP. While UDF has fielded the youngest candidate in the corporation, its rivals are banking on experience.
Stephy J George of the UDF is all of 21 but she sounds confident on the strength of her father George Lewis’ reputation as a former councillor.
Her main campaign is development of the ward. As a member of Seva Dal she is also active in Vyomithram project which is providing succour to the elderly.
“My priority is to get regular bus service to Kesavadasapuram along with other development issues," Stephy who is preparing for MCA said. The UDF is confident as it had won on a margin of 2,067 votes.
However, LDF says it is not overawed by the candidate or the victory margin of past. “There is no development worth the name in the ward. Bad roads, poor water supply and many other problems plague Kesavadasapuram," said Daya Nandakishore, the LDF candiate.
Notwithstanding the claims and counter claims of the rival parties, the voters want a representative who can deliver.
“Drainage system has collapsed in many areas, roads are in bad condition. It is difficult to travel through Lakshmi Nagar road especially during heavy rains when roads get submerged in water. As Transport Minister Ganesh Kumar had introduced a bus service but it was later stopped due to bad condition of roads,” said Vijayan a shopkeeper.
Srikala, a homemaker, said water pipeline had not reached in elevated areas yet. “Roads, drainage at NSP Nagar, Lakshminagar are in bad condition. Garbage problem is yet to be resolved. Corporation claims it had spent Rs 10 lakh but there is no development worth the name," said Pratheesh a local resident. However, the voters are not prepared to predict the outcome of the polls as they say still there are many days left for the D day .
