Countdown Begins as Candidates Set for a Tight Race

With only a few days left for the polls, the real battle will be between the LDF, UDF and BJP in Kozhikode parliamentary constituency, whereas for the Aam Aadmi Party, SDPI and BSP, it is an opportunity to show their might

Only five more days are left and the battle for Kozhikode parliamentary constituency is becoming more and more tight each day, leaving no scope for predictions.

The LDF, the UDF and the BJP share their own theories of winnability, whereas for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), SDPI and BSP, it is an opportunity to show their might in the constituency. Aside, seven independent candidates, including the Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP)-backed Advocate N P Prathap Kumar, are also in the fray.

Thanks to the strict monitoring of the Election Commission and the enforcement agencies, the campaigning looks somewhat dull as if political parties as well as the electorate are yet to switch into poll mode. However, active discussions are on inside coffee shops, hotels, dining halls of offices, family get-togethers, railway stations and the like.

Giving less preference to outdoor publicity and poster war, candidates too have shifted their concentration on squad work, covering each house. At the same time, they are also active on the ‘walls’ of various social media to engage with the youth, updating the latest details of electioneering and to project their mass support.

UDF candidate M K Raghavan kicked off his second-round tour in constituencies on April 3, which will continue till April 5 and later he will be concentrating on addressing public meetings.

For LDF’s A Vijayaraghavan, the second phase of electioneering involving tour in Assembly constituencies is going on and it will end on April 6. Once again, he will meet the who’s who of Kozhikode on April 7 and the final day of campaign is earmarked for a quick visit to all Assembly constituencies.

Meanwhile, BJP’s C K Padmanabhan is far ahead as far as electioneering is concerned. After touring each Assembly constituency, CKP is now concentrating on meeting voters at the booth level.

SDPI candidate Musthafa Kommeri’s electioneering has entered the third round and he is concentrating on meeting voters in person. After the unique ‘Morning Walk With Candidate’ programme, AAP candidate K P Ratheesh will complete the constituency-based electioneering on April 4, with its last leg in Kozhikode South constituency.