It's strongman vs youth in Muvattupuzha

KOCHI: It is called the gateway to high ranges and also the satellite city of Ernakulam. Muvattupuzha constituency in the eastern part of Ernakulam district, having 11 panchayats  and one municipality, is set to witness a battle between a young political lightweight and a well-entrenched politician in this election.

Sitting MLA Joseph Vazhakkan (57) of the Congress is seeking votes playing the development card while Eldho Abraham (39) of the CPI is seeking votes on the strength of his humble yet youthful profile.

Muvattupuzha is also famed for the Vazhakkulam pineapple and its sizeable population is farmers. The main demand of people of Muvattupuzha today is the formation of the Muvattupuzha district as they feel that they are ignored in the priorities of developments of Ernakulam district.

Vazhakkan has a strong list of developmental works to his credit in the five year period. A native of Ramapuram in Pala he came in the last election to Muvattupuzha replacing Johny Nellore of Kerala Congress who was defeated by Babu Paul of CPI earlier.

The development works Vazhakkan showcase are the new roads and bridges, the Rs 7 crore administrative block of the General Hospital, KSRTC bus stand, the fifth Civil Service Academy in the state and the river tourism project.

Eldho, a bachelor, who belongs to Muvattupuzha itself, became a member of the Payipra panchayat earlier with record margin in the state and came thrugh AISF and AIYF. Vazhakkan who was earlier KSU state president and KPCC general secretary is currently the official spokesman of the Congress party.

BJP has fielded former party district president P J Thomas as the NDA candidate in the constituency. In the last elections BJP candidate Jiji Joseph secured 4367 votes in the constituency.