KOCHI: The incessant rain till noon on Monday played spoilsport during the Ernakulam byelection as the constituency, at 57.89, recorded the lowest polling percentage in the state. It was the lowest since 1982 and way lower than the 71.6 per cent votes polled in the constituency in the 2016 assembly elections. However, the drop in voting percentage hasn’t dampened the spirits of the contestants - TJ Vinodh (UDF), Manu Roy (LDF) and C J Rajagopal (NDA). All of them are sure of their victory.
A majority of exit polls predict UDF will win. This may not be surprising as people here have been supporting the UDF since the 2001 assembly elections. So, this makes Vinodh confident of his victory. “The dip in polling percentage isn’t a matter of concern. I’m 100 per cent sure of my victory. The exit poll predictions will be confirmed when the results are declared,” said Vinodh.
Many voters couldn’t vote because of widespread waterlogging. They protested against the corporation as the city continues to get waterlogged when there are rains and water from the canals overflow into neighbouring roads and residential areas. But Vinodh was quick to defend the civic body.
“The corporation cannot be blamed for the waterlogging. The rain was so heavy that many places in Cheranalloor were affected, which didn’t happen during last year’s floods. Anyway, finding a solution to waterlogging will be one of my priorities. Also, I will take the initiative to complete the major projects launched by [MP] Hibi Eden,” he said.
According to Roy, the decrease in polling percentage will favour him. “The party votes would have surely been cast. This time, we expect a good share of votes from youngsters having no party affiliations. The Palarivattom flyover issue and the maladministration of the corporation were the main issues of the elction. The UDF fort will be breached,” he said.
He asserted that the waterlogging issue will be dealt with seriously once he wins. “We need a permanent solution,” he said. “A scientific study must be carried out with the help of a national or international agency about the canals and drains and the detailed report must be implemented.” On the exit poll predictions, he said, “The predictions are based on the opinion of a certain number of people. That cannot be taken into account. The exit poll predictions in the Pala byelection were completely wrong. I’m 100 per cent confident of my victory,” he added.
Rajagopal, fondly known as Muthu, said he believes that voters will elect him. “The people should win in a democracy and for that, the NDA has to win. Though UDF and LDF have ruled for years, they haven’t done anything beneficial for the people as well as the city. That’s why the city faced severe waterlogging after just three hours of rain and the voters were in distress,” says Rajagopal.
On Monday, Rajagopal was in the forefront to clear the waterlogging on MG Road. He, along with members of Seva Bharati, helped unclog the drain at Shenoys Junction, which was blocked by plastic waste. “This time, it will be a landslide victory for NDA. The UDF and LDF should be happy that the polling percentage was less. Else they would have suffered a heavy defeat,” he said.
About his plans, if he becomes the MLA, Rajagopal said, “The one-and-a-half-year duration is less, but I’ll do whatever I can to improve the city’s condition. Top priority will be given to provide basic amenities to people in the colonies. The waterlogging issue cannot be rectified completely in this term, but initiatives will be taken to find a permanent solution, with the support of residents’ associations and local bodies.”