Scorching sun seems no deterrent to the candidates in Kollam as they continue their campaign leaving the district abuzz with election activities.
With the entry of BJP’s K.V. Sabu this week, all three fronts have now launched full-fledged campaign in the constituency. Kollam has been under spotlight since the LDF considers it a crucial electoral battle fielding former district secretary and CPI(M) State secretariat member K.N. Balagopal against sitting MP N.K. Premachandran who had quit the front prior to 2014 polls.
Mr. Premachandran, the first formally announced candidate in the State, definitely enjoyed early bird advantage as he is all set to wrap up the initial phase of campaigning. He has already completed all Assembly constituency conventions, moving forward to the next round.
K.N. Balagopal, who entered the fray a little later, too has made many rounds in the constituency, especially in the ghat areas and colleges. From April 1, many prominent CPI(M) leaders will be in the constituency campaigning for Mr. Balagopal, making the battle all the more high-voltage.
While CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury will the first to reach Kollam, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, veteran Marxist leader V.S. Achuthanandan, CPI(M) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishann, Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat, Ministers G. Sudhakaran, A.C. Moideen, K.T. Jaleel and K.K. Shylaja will address public meetings on various days.
Cashew workers
Both Mr. Balagopal and Mr. Premachandran have been targeting cashew factories from the beginning, trying to woo the labourers.
Mr. Premachandran visited over 12 factories at Kannanalloor on Monday, later covering the ones at Nedumbana and Chadayamangalam on Tuesday. Mr. Balagopal had conducted a tour at Kilikolloor, known as the cashew village, in the very first days of his campaign, later moving on to the factories at Oyoor and Karingannoor.
He had also visited the homes of the late trade unionists, M.D. Pasupalan (CITU) and K.C. Mohanan (AITUC).
Mr. Sabu, the latest entrant into the scene, has been active since Sunday. He has so far covered some parts of Kollam, Chavara, Eravipuram and Chathannur Assembly constituencies. Squads of various unions supporting the three fronts are also active in the campaign scene visiting households and institutions.
