Tight contest on the cards in Kaloor South as LDF, UDF field seasoned candidates

While the three-time Left Democratic Front (LDF) councilor and two-time United Democratic Front (UDF) councilor are locked in a head-to-head contest in the Kaloor South segment of Kochi Corporation, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) had to scramble to field a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate at the eleventh hour after the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) gave up the seat originally allotted to it after failing to find a suitable seat. applicant.

There is stiff competition in this division in the heart of the city as both KV Manoj and MG Aristotle are experienced campaigners representing CPI(M) and Congress respectively. Mr. Manoj, a member of CPI(M) district committee and CITU State committee, bagged two consecutive victories from the division between 2000 and 2010, followed by another win from the Ponnurunni East division in 2015.

Mr. Aristotle recorded his first victory from Kaloor South in 2015. After serving as UDF parliamentary party secretary in the recently concluded council, she was moved to Kathrikadavu division in 2020 following the reservation of Kaloor South for women. Kathrikadavu is now back as this time it is reserved for women. AB Anilkumar is contesting as a BJP candidate.

“I have strong contacts in the department, I have represented it before. I feel a friendly atmosphere during the campaign. Although Manoj poses a stiff challenge, he has been away from the electoral arena for over a decade and this rustiness is evident not to mention the setbacks he has faced within the party throughout the period,” says Mr. Aristotle.

UDF candidate MG Aristotle is campaigning in the division. | Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT

But Mr. Manoj could not object any further. He dismisses the contest as a give-up, claiming he is confident of an “easy transition”. “There are still only development projects in the department that have been implemented during my ten-year tenure, be it the Vyloppilly Cultural Center or the bridge over the Vyloppilly Lane-Stadium Link Road, which has become one of the most frequently used routes by motorists,” he asserts.

Mr. Aristotle disputes these claims, pointing out that LDF, which has held power in the Company for the last five years, is yet to find a permanent solution to waste management. He highlights that the proposed Compressed Biogas plant in Brahmapuram is yet to become operational and criticizes the collection of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste at the doorstep for being disorganized and lacking a proper schedule.

Meanwhile, Mr Anilkumar, who trailed the other two in the campaign after entering the fray at the last minute, remains confident and claims to have the support of a solid base of traditional BJP votes in the division.

BJP candidate AB Anilkumar greets a voter in the segment. | Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT

The delimitation study slightly reduced the size of the partition; but retains more than 90% of its original geographic area, with a total of approximately 5,500 voters. The department usually records a voter turnout of around 65%.

From the looks of things, it looks like the competition in this division will be nothing but an easy pass for whoever comes out on top. In 2020, Congress councilor Rajani Mani was declared the winner by toss of a coin after tying votes with CPI(M) candidate Seena Babu.