Leaders to heat up Ernakulam scene

KOCHI: After the lull first phase, the election campaign in all 14 constituencies in Ernakulam has switched to the high-decibel second phase. As the campaign goes into  top gear, several national leaders of major political parties,  including Prime Minister Narendra Modi,  are scheduled to visit the constituencies in the district. Mr Modi will attend a poll meeting at Puthiyakavu Bhagavathy temple ground at Tripunithura on May 11.

BJP national president Amit Shah participated in two  meetings at Paravur and Aluva in the district on Thursday. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will address an election rally at Angamaly on May 12 while CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury who has already toured  a couple of constituencies will visit  the district for a second time.

Other national leaders like Brinda Karat and  Subhashini Ali will also attend campaign rallies in various constituencies in Ernakulam. While candidates are running from door to door to meet the voters,  the announcement vehicles are criss-crossing every nook and cranny.  

Unlike previous elections, the saffron party also has been running the campaign systematically. Tripunithura is one of its prestigious constituencies where Prof. Thuravoor Viswambharan is in the fray. Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Anantha Kumar will address the campaign meeting of Thuravoor Viswambharan on Friday.  

In all constituencies, squads comprising members of service and feeder organisations of the LDF  have completed several rounds of house visits. The UDF also has toned up its mahinery and poll strategies. Sitting legislators are in the fray in 12 of the 14 constituencies, except in Angamaly and Thrikkakara.

After the initial confusion and uncertainty, Thrikkakara UDF candidate P.T Thomas, who is contesting outside Idukki for the first time, could make a  strong presence on the campaign trail.