Kochi: The August 2018 massive floods have opened a crucial battlefront in Chalakkudy Parliament constituency with main UDF and LDF candidates making the rescue, relief, rehabilitation and other aspects related to the floods key issue in the polls.
Benny Behanan came out the other day against the statement of LDF candidate Innocent that he is not one who plays with flood waters. Benny said that this was an affront to political workers who undertook rescue during the never before seen floods in its most affected areas.
“Not even children would say like that. It is not the way to describe the rescue efforts of public workers during the floods. It does not behove a political leader and is most unfortunate,” said Benny Behanan pointing out that Innocent works as an MP during the floods will be assessed by the voters in the coming election. The worst-affe-cted Aluva, Angamaly and Chalakkudy Assembly segments come under the Chalakkudy Parliamentary constituency whereas Perumbavoor and Kunnathunadu under the constituency too we-re battered in the floods.
Two Assembly constituencies that escaped without much injury were Kodungallur and Kaipamangalam.
Innocent could not directly reach for rescue as he was stranded in his home town Irinjalakku-da during the floods. Ho-wever, he said he oversaw the rescue efforts from there and reached the relief centres once the situation improved.
“The Chalakkudy River was overflowing submer-ging the bridge cutting off the Irinjalakkuda side from the flood hit areas and hence I could not reach the worst hit parts. I was in constant touch with the crisis management cells in Ernakulam and Thrissur and reached places where I could. Earlier the visit of Union Minister of State for Home Kiran Rijiju to flood affected areas was in the aftermath of my intervention. I was active in the relief and rehabilitation efforts shoulder to shoulder wi-th the two district administrations, NGOs, Malay-alees outside the state and others. The steps for lasting solution to the flooding of Cochin international airport too were taken after my intervention with the Chief Minister,” Innocent said.
Benny said that he was not interested in any personal attack but issues concerning people will come up for discussion at every stage of campaigning and as the sitting MP, Innocent is answerable for his omissions which will be bared in the coming days.
