World | India
Election campaign shifts to north Kerala
With the six southern districts of Kerala having cast their votes in the Assembly elections on Saturday, the campaign in the state has shifted to the north which goes to polls on April 29.
- By Akhel Mathew, Correspondent
- Published: 23:32 May 3, 2009
Thiruvananthapuram: With the six southern districts of Kerala having cast their votes in the Assembly elections on Saturday, the campaign in the state has shifted to the north which goes to polls on April 29.
Elections will be held in 66 Assembly constituencies in six districts Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Palakkad in the second phase.
The third and final phase of voting will be held on May 3.
Electioneering is hotting up in the northern districts even as Keralites wait for the outcome of the first phase of polling covering 59 constituencies. All ballot boxes will be opened only on May 11 after a 19-day-long wait.
The second phase will cover more than 10 million voters.
Malappuram accounts for the largest number of voters more than 2.2 million of which more than one million are women. The Wayanad constituency has the least number of voters 518,000.
Just like the first phase, which was crucial for both the rival fronts, the second phase is also too close to call.
Those in the fray include Opposition Leader V.S. Achuthanandan (Malampuzha), who is being touted by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) as their proposed Chief Minister; Therambil Ramakrishnan (Thrissur); O. Rajagopal (Palakkad); K. Muraleedharan (Koduvalli); P.K. Kunjhalikuty (Kuttipuram); T.M. Jacob (Piravom); E.T. Muhammed Basheer (Tirur) and M.K. Muneer (Mankada).
As in the first phase, national leaders are expected to visit the state to rally supporters.
Congress president Sonia is slated to arrive today. Others include Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat, CPI-M politburo member Sitaram Yechuri and Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary A.B. Bardhan.
The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has reportedly made a lukewarm performance at the first phase, is sending its national president Rajnath Singh.
He is expected to tour Kasargode, Kanjhangad, Kozhikode and Kannur tomorrow. He will be in Ponnani in Malappuram the next day.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission yesterday decided to examine the documents in booths where more than 80 per cent polling was reported in the first phase of elections. This step is taken in order to ensure fair voting practices following complaints.
Weapons seized in pre-poll alert
Police seized weapons in two districts as electioneering heated up in the northern part of Kerala yesterday.
Police confiscated 28,000 gelatin sticks, which were illegally kept in a house in Ollur, Thrissur district. It was recovered from Kanookkadan Pailimanthodi Anthony's house and the police have registered a case. They have also started an investigation.
Thirteen bombs, twenty-five swords and two axes were found near a lane at Pathonbatham Mile in Mattannur, Kannur.
Preliminary reports suggest the weapons were brought in to create tension in the areas during election.
News Editor's choice
-
Allies quit ruling coalition in Nepal
Political row could trigger months of street protests and violence
-
Qatar blaze 'started at nursery'
Fire killed 19 including 13 children, at Doha’s main shopping centre
-
Jagan jailed over illegal assets
Andhra Pradesh leader accused of corruption, cheating, conspiracy
