BJP fields couples to boost tally

Thiruvananthapuram: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to field two couples from different wards hoping to get a total of four councilors as they target more seats in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

BJP corporators M.R. Gopan of Ponnumangalam and Rajeev of Nettayam will exchange their respective seats with their wives Sindu Gopan and Sindhu Rajeev respectively.

Gopan will contest elections at Nemom while Rajeev will contest from Vazhottukonam ward.

The BJP targets to increase the number of councilors from six, and it does not want to lose sitting seats and wants stronger candidates in more wards.

Its spokesperson V.V. Rajesh said Ms Rajeev was more popular in Nettayam-Vattiyoorkavu areas than her husband as she is a senior social worker.

Ms Gopan, on the other hand, knows nuances of campaigning as she had campaigned for her husband in last two elections.

"It may not be possible for couple candidates to campaign for each other. We hardly have enough time for campaigning in one ward. Nemom is separated from Ponnumangalam by just a main road and hence people of Nemom is familiar with me and my works," Mr Gopan said.

Unlike Mr Rajeev, he has married off his son Vivek and daughter Viji and says both can dedicate themselves full time to people.