Kochi: The high-voltage campaign for Thrikkakara bypoll will end on Sunday with the ‘Kalasakottu’ (the last lap of the campaign). The public campaign will officially conclude at 6 pm on Sunday and silent campaign will be held on Monday. LDF, UDF and NDA candidates and activists are found actively engaged in the final hours of the campaign.
A total of 8 candidates are contesting in the bypoll which will be held on May 31. The results will be announced on June 3.
Over 100 people participated in the roadshows of the candidates.
While Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is leading the Left campaign, leader of the Opposition VD Satheeshan is the leader for the UDF campaign. BJP state president K Surendran is looking after the NDA campaign.
LDF aims to win its 100th seat in the bypoll. VIPs including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan are leading the LDF’s election campaign in Thrikkakara. Meanwhile, UDF is trying to script victory again in the seat which fell vacant following the demise of UDF MLA PT Thomas. Uma Thomas, wife of the late MLA is contesting as UDF candidate in the bypoll.
Actor turned director Ramesh Pisharody has also arrived Thrikkakara to seek votes for UDF.
Meanwhile, NDA took PC George for the last phase of the campaigning.
Former Chief Minister and Congress Working Committee member AK Antony charged up the campaign for UDF and blasted the Pinarayi Vijayan government.
This is the first direct election faced by the second Pinarayi Vijayan government after it came to power in May 2021. The election was necessitated following the passing away of
Congress leader and MLA PT Thomas on December 22, 2021, at the Christian Medical College, Vellore where he was admitted.
The Congress-led UDF in a bid to retain the seat has fielded the widow of PT Thomas, Uma Thomas as the front's candidate while the ruling Left front sprang a surprise by fielding an eminent cardiologist of a private hospital run by the Catholic Church, Dr Jo Joseph.
The BJP-led NDA fielded party-state vice president and senior leader, AN Radhakrishnan for the seat. Being the last Sunday before the elections, all the three candidates were busy meeting the Sunday mass goers in the constituency and trying to meet the churchgoers.
Uma Thomas while speaking to IANS said, "I am fully confident of a thumping victory and there is nothing short of a victory. I find that the good work done by my husband P.T. Thomas in the constituency and his memories will catapult me to victory."
She said that the people of Thrikkakara are mature and they know whom to vote for and that she would win with a good majority.
The LDF candidate, Dr Jo Joseph while speaking to IANS said, "Will win hundred per cent. The policies and programmes of the Pinarayi Vijayan government have given me the edge in the elections and we will wrest the seat."
The NDA candidate and senior leader of the BJP, A.N. Radhakrishnan said, "This time the people of Thrikkakara will take a different route and we will win."
(with inputs from IANS)
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