Kerala bypolls: UDF, LDF lock horns over development, corruption planks

Congress-led ruling UDF and CPI(M) headed LDF are locked in a fierce battle for the June 27 Aruvikkara by-election in Kerala, seen as a semi-final for the rival fronts ahead of civic elections later this year and next year's assembly elections.

UDF is seeking votes in the assembly by-poll on the plank of its development initiatives in the past four years, while opposition is leaving no stone unturned harping on various corruption charges against the government as it seeks to score a morale boosting win ahead of the main electoral battle next year.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, heading the UDF campaign, has rejected the allegations as "baseless" and has expressed confidence that they would not in any way impact the poll outcome.

CPI-M veteran and opposition leader VS Achuthanandan, the star campaigner and crowd puller for LDF candidate M Vijaykumar, a former Assembly speaker and minister, has slammed the UDF rule saying "government's only contribution is corruption and hardship to people".

The government has been under attack over the bar bribery scam involving Finance Minister KM Mani, the solar scam and alleged corruption in PWD department.

"Charges are baseless and people of the constituency would vote for the development and care policy initiatives of the government", Chandy told PTI during his campaign trail at Aruvikkara, a constituency near the state capital.

CPI-M's "politics of violence and anti-development stand" will be given a befitting reply by the people on the polling day, he said, adding, "people are also watching the hurdles they (CPI-M led LDF) are putting in the development plans ofthe government".

On the solar scam that is haunting the government since 2013, Chandy said recent conviction of the prime accused -- Sarita S Nair and her accomplice Biju Radhakrishnan, in one of the connected cases was a "clear indication that the probe is on the right direction."

UDF is going all out to retain the seat, which fell vacant following the death of then Assembly Speaker G Karthikeyan.

Top leaders of the front, including Ministers and MLAs, are virtually camping in the constituency for days together and sweating it out for the victory of Congress candidate K S Sabarinath, son of Karthikeyan.

"Sabarinath has good acceptance in the constituency", Chandy said adding "there is no problem for his victory".

The poll is very significant for BJP also as it has so far failed to taste success in Lok Sabha or assembly polls in the state.

O Rajagopal seeks vote for the "development initiatives" of NDA government headed by Prime Minister Narenda Modi. He is also asking the voters to end the "corrupt rule of the UDF and to change the rotten political system in the state that had hampered the development process." 

Outcome of the by-poll coming just a year ahead of next years' Assembly poll, is very significant for the UDF and especially for Chandy, as a defeat for Congress is likely to give momentum by a section in the party for leadership change.

As part of his election strategy, Chandy is concentrating on family cluster meetings rather than attending public rallies and has so far participated in nearly 100 such events.

"My focus is on the development and welfare measures started by the government and the most important among them was the treatment expenses given under Karunya scheme. So far Rs 350 crore has been sanctioned under the scheme benefiting more than 90,000 people," he said.

"The LDF has put hurdles on all development initiatives by raking up unfounded corruption charges", Chandy alleged.

30-year old Sabrinath, an engineering and MBA graduate, told PTI that his appeal to the people was to vote for him for continuation of development works undertaken by his father. "My father had initiated works worth Rs 450 crore and I am sure that people would respond positively", he said.

UDF campaign is set to get a boost with senior Congress leader AK Antony attending a series of meetings in the assembly segment next week.

Targeting women voters, who outnumber men out of the more than 1.78 lakh voters, the 66-year Marxist candidate Vijayakumar asks them to defeat the "corrupt" Congress government and also the BJP which he alleged was dividing the people on 'communal line'.

Price rise, alleged collapse of law and order situation in the state are some of the other issues LDF is using to attack the UDF government and the BJP candidate.

Sharp fall in price of natural rubber also would have its impact on the poll result as the constituency also has a good number of small and medium rubber growers. The segment has a total electorate of 1,76,696 including 93,353 women.

Thirteen others, including the supporter of former Government Chief Whip PC George, a dissident MLA of Kerala Congress(M), is in the fray in the election, result of which would be declared on June 30.