Aruvikkara Bypoll: AK Antony, VS Achuthanandan spar on election-eve

Thiruvananthapuram: With just hours left for campaigning to end, the rival fronts scaled up their attack on each other in a last ditch effort to woo voters of Aruvikkara. Right from the morning leaders at press conferences, public meetings and rallies unleashed no holds barred attack on their rivals. Congress Working Committee member A K Antony held CPM responsible for the growth of fundamentalist forces in the state. He also gave a clean chit to Oommen Chandy Government in the manner in which it was handling the bar gate issue.

Soon after Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan hit out at Antony accusing him of shielding the corrupt. He referred to CWC member as “Arattu Mundan” which led to strong protest from the Congress leadership. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said Achuthanandan’s remark would prove as costly as the “para naari” (most wretched) remark of Pinaray Vijayan during Kollam Lok Sabha poll.

Achuthanandan had earlier said that Antony who considered himself as apostle of clean politics, should understand where he stood today. “In front of the arattu of corruption, Antony was standing with a lamp like an arattu mundane,” he said.

Achuthahandan’s strong reaction came in the backdrop of the personal attack made on him by Antony and V.M. Sudheeran for his association with Balakrishna Pillai on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the UDF gained a slight edge in campaigning on the penultimate day with all top leaders descending in the constituency. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy along with UDF candidate K.S. Sabarinathan conducted road show in various parts of the constituency, seeking support from the voters.

Actor Kushboo added colour to the UDF campaign while Antony drew big crowds at the Aryanad. The LDF camp was a bit disappointed as the road show planned for Achuthanandan could not take off due to veteran’s health reasons.

However, LDF candidate M Vijayakumar conducted road show in various places to seek support. A big rally was taken out by auto rickshaw drivers in his support while flash mobs, skits and dramas were staged across the constituency to attract voters.

CPM state secretary Kodieyri Balakrishnan monitored the campaign minute by minute from his war room – the LDF campaign committee office in Aryanad. Thomas Isaac and other LDF leaders held family meetings in various panchayats, while actor Innocent continued his road show for the second consecutive day.

Actor Suresh Gopi turned out for the BJP for the second day covering Vithura Panchayat . He addressed a series of meetings in Vithura tribal belt besides other panchayats. People came out in huge numbers to listen to the actor turned politician. Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan campaigned in Uzhamalackal especially in Hindu Nadar community pockets. The BJP is expecting to get support of a section of Hindu Nadars who are currently with the ACDF.

The campaigning will reach a crescendo on the last day on Thursday. The rival parties are competing with each other to make it big at the grand finale to be held at Aryanad junction.