Kochi: The Ernakulam Lok Sabha constituency is waking up to poll frenzy with the arrival of Union tourism minister Alphons Kannanthanam on Saturday evening as the NDA candidate while his two opponents, Hibi Eden of UDF and P. Rajeev of LDF, are neck deep in campaigning, making it a point to meet a maximum number of voters.
Mr Kannanthanam first visited the Church top brass, including Cardinal George Alencherry, Varapuzha Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil and Kochi Bishop Joseph Kariyil, apart from holding talks with Sangh Parivar leaders in one and a half days he was in Kochi.
He made a brief visit to SNDP Yogam president Vellappally Natesan apart from meeting Mata Amritanandamayi, visited the RSS state headquarters and met VHP office-bearers.
His first convention is on Friday. Already BJP posters have come out with the catchline 'a Union minister for Kochi', and the party hopes to cash in on this factor among voters.
Mr Eden and Mr Rajeev have completed the first round of campaigning and have moved to the second leg.
Mr Eden spent Monday in Cheranellore where his famed Thanal housing programme gave new lives to over a dozen people left homeless in the August floods, while the construction on 18 houses for remaining victims is still on.
He hopes to gain maximum votes from the Ernakulam Assembly segment which he represents.
On Sunday while touring Paravur constituency, he visited the family of custody death victim Sreejith at Varapuzha to express solidarity in their fight for justice.
Mr Rajeev toured the Kochi segment despite scorching heat to warm receptions. He was received at the Thoppumpady Harbour by the fishermen community.
He said that it is a misnomer to consider a constituency the fortress of someone.
"It amounts to underplaying the power of the people," he said.
He was accompanied in the tour of Palluruthy by former MP Dr Sebastian Paul who described him as a strong candidate.
He will tour his home ground of Kalamassery on Tuesday.
Interestingly, former MP K. V. Thomas who is denied seat this time by the Congress party is yet to land in the constituency from Delhi.
