Kochi: The Chalakkudy Parliamentary constituency presents a picture of keen contest with major candidates making extensive tour of the constituency and drawing crowds as well. The focus of Innocent of LDF, Benny Behanan of UDF and A.N. Radhakrishnan of NDA at this stage of campaigning is to meet maximum number of voters in person and cover maximum areas. Innocent has the advantage in this since his candidature was declared two weeks back but Benny Behanan is close behind while Radhakrishnan only entered the other day.
On Sunday Benny Behanan turned to Kunnathunadu to meet voters in the Assembly constituency. The tour that started from Vengola church focused mainly on places of worship since it was Sunday. He also visited Pallikkara St Mary’s Cathedral and was given a rousing reception at the Ambalappady junction. He met faithful at Valamboor St Mary’s Orthodox Church, Mazhuvannoor St Thomas Jacobite Syrian Cathedral and Kizhakkambalam St Antony’s Forane Church. He also dropped in at St Francis Assissi Convent. At a press conference, Benny Behanan who is also the UDF convener, said that Rahul will romp home comfortably if contested from Wayanad. He also alleged that Innocent was a failure in giving a lead for development in the constituency and in efforts to retain FACT in the public sector. Benny’s second phase campaign is set to start on April 1.
However, Innocent countered this saying he proposed development as the key subject for the election not to amuse people, but in all its seriousnes. “In last election I approched people cracking wit but this time I am serious. Before the electorate my progress card is there and during my tenure as MP development worth Rs 1750 crore has taken place in the constituency. The details of the same have been published in my Facebook page. I could complete a lot of pending projects and implement new ones also,” said Innocent. He said that he had an attendance of 69 percent in the lower house. On Sunday Innocent campaigned in Aluva Assembly constituency and spoke to electorate about Rs 3.5 crore sanctioned for Aluva railway station, the mamogram and ultrasound scanning units granted to government hospital and Rs 480 crore given for Seaport-Airport road Aluva section. He also said that it was unfair to use comical clips in television programs in which he participated, against him in the election campaign.
NDA candidate A.N. Radhakrishnan on Sunday made a tour of Nedum-bassery, Chengamanad, Choornikara, Vazhakk-ulam and Mazhuvannoor areas and promised to extend the Kochi Metro Rail to Angamaly if he is voted as the MP. He also promised industrial and education hubs in the area. In the meetings addressed in these days, he also promised modern facilties for utilisation of the fish wealth in the coastal areas of Kodungallur and Kaipamangalam. He also said that this 2019 verdict will be one against the highhanded way of dealing with the Sabarimala agitation and imposing cases on people who waged a battle to protect faith. Radhakrishnan said that Rahul Gandhi was eyeing Wayanad seat due to his fear of failure at Amethi against Smrithi Irani.
