Candidates go all out to connect with electorate in Ernakulam constituency
It was around 2 p.m. when Hibi Eden, the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate for the Ernakulam Lok Sabha seat, reached Naranath Sree Krishna Temple, Eloor, on the outskirts of the city. The sun was blazing, forcing devotees to take cover under the canopy of trees.
Mr. Eden waved at the crowd, posed for group photos and selfies, and quickly melted into the crowd. The party workers accompanied him to the hall where the annual temple feast was progressing.
“How’s the campaign going on,” Mr. Eden keenly asked a senior citizen who was partaking of the feast, and then added with a playful smile, “He’s a BJP worker.”
Through chitchats
The candidate, who refrained from discussing politics at the temple venue, was seen eager to connect with the crowd through chitchats. He has reserved political speeches for the vehicle rally to be held in the evening.
“I seek a popular mandate for the work done during the last five years and for fulfilling the dream projects. The response of the voters is quite heartening,” said Mr. Eden.
However, K.J. Shine, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate, uses her interactions and meetings to raise political questions. Raising questions and seeking answers come quite naturally to Ms. Shine, a teacher by profession.
“Why did you decide to draw my picture,” Ms. Shine was heard asking two young girls who presented her with her pictures.
She also tested the children’s knowledge of the electoral process at Gandhi Nagar Junction where LDF leaders, including Kochi Mayor M. Anilkumar, K.S. Arun Kumar, P.R. Renish, and C.A. Shakkeer, waited to take her to the next meeting.
“What do you expect from the government,” she asked a young couple who was keenly listening to her speech. “We need a secular government which is committed to protecting democracy and Constitutional values,” said Abhirami as her husband, Ajeesh, looked on. Ms. Shine acceded to the request of the couple for a selfie before getting on to the open jeep for the next meeting.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers who had assembled at Kangarappady Junction in Kalamassery Assembly constituency began their public meeting from a makeshift stage nearly an hour before their candidate K.S. Radhakrishnan arrived at the venue.
Mr. Radhakrishnan, who was received with a floral headgear and shawls, made a brief address about the achievements of the Narendra Modi government before meeting voters at a nearby cafeteria.
“Why don’t you give me a smile, if not your vote,” asked Mr. Radhakrishnan to a passerby who responded to the candidate’s overture with a cold handshake. He then quickly got on to the campaign vehicle that took him to different parts of the constituency.