Kottayam: The electioneering for the Pala by-election to be held on September 23 has touched fever-pitch with top leaders of the rival fronts entering the scene on Wednesday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Congress leader A.K. Antony and BJP's national general secretary and poll strategist Sunil V. Deodhar led the campaigns hoping to turn the tide in their favour.
Mr Vijayan addressed three conventions for LDF candidate Mani C. Kappen of the NCP on Wednesday and will speak at six more venues over the next few days.
Mr Vijayan sought to highlight the achievements of his government and the stagnation and corruption during the previous UDF government’s tenure.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has been hit by an internal strife. At least 40 workers, including Rani Samji, president of the party's district unit for women, have resigned from the party protesting against the candidature of Mani C. Kappan.
Kerala Congress (M) leader P.J.Joseph attended the election campaign of UDF candidate Jose Tom Pulikkunnel in the evening which was addressed by A.K. Antony.
“Vote against those who torpedoed the Karunya Benevolent Scheme and the rubber price stabilisation fund – two major welfare programmes initiated by the late K.M.Mani,'' he said at a meeting at Kurishupalli junction.
BJP poll strategist Deodhar led the electioneering for N.Hari and addressed the party's ‘page Pramukhs' at Pala and Mutholi.
He also met the party workers and asked them to liberate the state from the CPM.
