KOCHI: After a lull, the election campaigning has picked up momentum in the district. After the Puttingal temple fire mishap and the Vishu celebrations, candidates of all major political parties started intensive campaigning on Friday.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy attended nine election meetings, including at Kothamangalam, Piravom, Ernakulam town hall, Vypeen, North Paravur, Aluva, Kalamassery, Thrikkakara and Tripunithura. Mr Chandy focused on ‘the advantages of good governance in the last five years’ and refuted the presence of any anti-incumbency factor. “It is because of the good governance that the Opposition failed to point out any faults in the development works of the government,” he said.
Addressing a meeting at Ernakulam Town Hall, he said that unlike previous times, this election was crucial for the UDF as it had to retain power for a bright future of the state. “This election is the deciding factor of the future of the state,” he said.
Strongly criticising the LDF for its liquor policy, he said that the Left front was still clueless on the topic and it had failed to make it clear before the voters. “Though the LDF announced that it is in favour of liquor abstinence and not a blanket ban, the stance can’t be termed as a policy,” he said.
Mr Chandy also listed out the series of developmental projects initiated during the UDF rule in the fast growing Kochi, including the Kochi Metro. “Kochi has become the fastest growing city during the last five years,” he said. Hibi Eden MLA, Prof. K.V Thomas, Mayor Soumini Jain, GCDA chairman N. Venugopal, DCC president V.J. Paulose and former Mayor Tony Chammany were also present.
