In Malappuram constituency, E Ahmed needs no introduction. ‘Ahmed Sahib’, as people fondly call him, is omnipresent in the constituency. The IUML workers gather at his rented house in Malappuram early in the morning. The announcement from the campaign vehicle describes Ahmed as the ‘bridge’ that binds India and the Gulf. People swarm the reception areas of Ahmed even hours before his arrival at the venue.
‘Express’ toured with Ahmed during his campaign trail in Kondotty Assembly constituency. His campaign began from Nediyiruppu Harijan Colony, one of the largest scheduled caste colonies in the state sprawling over 700 acres. The entire area has been flooded with posters and flex boards eulogising the development initiatives of Ahmed.
“The colony here has a large number of Dalit League workers. As an MP, he had initiated many development works here. Ahmed Sahib has always lent a patient ear to our grievances,” said Nediyiruppu panchayat president Sheeba.
Soon, Ahmed’s campaign vehicle reached the spot. Though the people have been waiting for over an hour to get a glimpse of their leader, they never seemed restless.
Ahmed interacted with each and every person with the ease of a seasoned politician who have been facing elections since 1967. “I will be with the people till I fulfil the promises I’ve made to them. I relish in serving the people,” Ahmed told mediapersons gathered there.
The senior IUML leader, who has been pacing from one campaign point to another, was given emphatic receptions at various places. After leading a public life for 57 years, apparently Sahib is in for the long haul and vehemently defends allegations that his retirement is long over due. Ahmed hits back at those who dart these allegations by involving himself actively in the campaign process with the zeal of a young politician.
Ahmed tours around 50 centres every day. Amid the busy schedule, he finds time to intervene and resolve various issues, particularly cases pertaining to non-resident Keralites mostly in Gulf. In one instance, Ahmed intervened in an issue regarding the release of three persons imprisoned in Gulf.
After holding talks with certain persons in the higher-ups, he expedited the release formalities. Unwary of the torrid heat, the campaign went on late into night in full throttle. And Ahmed reached back to his house in the wee hours. He hardly had time to catch a sound sleep. Another hectic day awaits him.
