KOCHI: As the campaign vehicle of LDF candidate C Raveendranath reached Parappuram, near Angamaly, Ameya Krishna, a fourth-standard student, ran into the vehicle. All he needed was to greet ‘Maash’ with a rose and wish him the best. Raveendranath, the ‘Maash’ for the people of Chalakudy, hugged the young fan with love.
He thanked the crowd for their support and reception and said, “This is a fight to revive the constitutional values of our country - secularism, federalism and equality. The secularism of our nation is now under threat. That is the topic of discussion in this election. The best thing we can offer our children and the coming generation is the secular nature of our country. They will peacefully live here,” he reminded a gathering of around 200-odd people.
“There is financial inequality as well. The rich are becoming richer and the poor are becoming poorer. The aim is to restore equality,” the 68-year-old former state education minister said.
As the vehicle left for the next destination, the song reverberated ‘Veendedukkanam Namukku Gandhi Thanna Indiaye, Mathetharathvam Marichidathe Kaakkanam. Samayamayi Samayamayi Unarnnezhunelka Sodhara...’ The campaign tour reached Puliyanam Junction near Elavanur 40 minutes late.
However, the crowd was patient and was sure that they would leave only after meeting their candidate. Wearing red hats, and sporting red balloons, flags, and flowers they waited for their Maash. Some people gifted him fruits and a bunch of bananas, which the candidate himself distributed among his supporters.
The response of voters is positive, he said. “I have travelled to these areas of the constituency twice now. People approach me and welcome me when I arrive at every place with flowers, shawls and most importantly with a smile. I am delighted by their response, and I am gaining more confidence every day,” he said when asked about the experience after the campaign tours.