V K Ibrahim Kunju has edge in Kalamassery

KOCHI: The Kalamassery constituency in Ernakulam was on the boil on Saturday as campaigning by all political parties reached a crescendo on its last day before winding off by 6 in the evening. The three main candidates - V K Ibrahim Kunju of UDF, A M Yousuf of LDF and V Gopakumar of NDA - and their supporters were busy from the morning to ensure that they covered maximum areas and staged impressive road shows.

Though Ibrahim Kunju seems to have an edge, Yousuf was giving a tight fight while Gopakumar too was all set to register an impressive performance. Yet again development is the main agenda and Ibrahim Kunju points to completion of 17 bridges in his constituency during his tenure and the first concrete road in the state, Seaport-Airport road expansion, lifting all roads to national standards and others.

But Yousuf says that all these were launched during his tenure as Aluva MLA from 2006 before the carving of the Kalamassery constituency. Gopakumar contends that funds sanctioned by the Modi Government paved the way for the development works.

Rivals also accuse Kunju of making Kalamassery a graveyard of industries, pointing to the closure of Binani Zinc where he once worked and the struggling FACT. The pathetic state of the Ernakulam medical college, the yet to be realised cancer centre, the plight of Periyar, drinking water and waste issue also dominate the campaign.

 

 

The arrival of stars like Suresh Gopi and Jayaram in support of Gopakumar gave third dimension to campaign.

The constituency has 1.92 lakh voters.