UDF will spring a surprise this time: Ramya Haridas

Thrissur: “The whole of Alathur will be voting for me, and I am confident that UDF will spring a surprise this time around in this segment considered as an LDF bastion,” Ramya Haridas, the UDF candidate, exuded confidence.

She was speaking at a debate organised by Thrissur Press Club on Friday with NDA candidate and BDJS state general secretary T. V. Babu also taking part.

She said that she would not be bogged down by the alleged derogatory remarks against her by opponents. “I have come up in life, fighting poverty and several hurdles. But it's unfair on the part of LDF convener A. Vijayaragavan to make such comments against me who has the same age as his son or daughter,” Ms Haridas said.

She said she was planning, if she wins, an educational scheme called ‘Vibrant Alathur’ to train students of the backward segments to clear competitive exams.

“Like in Kunnamangalam block panchayat in Kozhikode of which I am the president, I'll implement a project for production, procurement and sales of vegetables with cold storage facilities and value addition,” she said.

Both candidates stressed on the possibility of reviewing the Parambikulam-Aliyar project for bringing more water to Chittur and Nenmara regions to convert barren land to cultivable fields.

“The Parambikulam-Aliyar water treaty can be reviewed in every 30 years, but even after 60 years have passed after signing the agreement, both UDF and LDF governments failed to seek more share from Tamil Nadu,” Mr Babu said. "In places like Thiruvilwamala in the segment, there's scope for windmill projects."

Mr Biju, the LDF candidate, who did not take part in the debate, had held a meet-the-press with reporters here a few days ago.