MLA-elect and late Kerala CM’s son Chandy Oommen to use Rs 79 lakh campaign savings for charity

Thiruvananthapuram: MLA-elect Chandy Oommen on Wednesday said Rs 79 lakh saved through his green protocol election campaign in Puthuppally would be used for charitable activities and housing projects, while also outlining plans for sports and IT development in the constituency.

Speaking at a ‘Meet the Press’ programme organised by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club in Thiruvananthapuram, the newly elected MLA said the savings from the campaign would partly be used to build more houses. 

He said the bicycle campaign carried out during the election was an experiment aimed at reaching people directly.

“I will try to use a bicycle for travel to the Assembly as well,” he said.

The son of the late former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said voters may have appreciated attempts to reduce election expenditure, which could have contributed to the large victory margin in Puthuppally.

“Avoiding flex boards was a gain. There was not even a single case in Puthuppally in its name,” Chandy Oommen said.

‘LDF defeat is a warning for all’

Referring to the election outcome, Chandy Oommen said the defeat suffered by the Left Democratic Front was also a warning for his side.

“If we move away from the people, there will be a backlash,” he said.

He also dismissed reports of differences within the United Democratic Front over the selection of the Chief Minister, saying the decision would be taken after a meeting of the legislature party.

“Rift is a media narrative. If someone expresses an opinion, it does not become a dispute,” Chandy Oommen said.

Sports hub and IT project planned

Chandy Oommen also called on the Election Commission of India to make election procedures more people-friendly and ensure credibility in the process.

He said efforts were under way to turn Puthuppally into a sports hub. Construction of a second turf facility was progressing and an international-standard stadium would become a reality within two years, he added.

“The aim is to attract youngsters to sports and create a Messi in our land,” he said.

He also said an IT hub was being planned for Puthuppally.

At the event, P.R. Praveen, secretary of the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club, presented a memento to Chandy Oommen.