UDF fighting to retain seat in LDF stronghold

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Maheswaran Nair, the mayor candidate of UDF at Mudavanmugal, is saddled with a huge task this year. The seasoned corporator who had always had a breezy ride in terms of elections might have to face a tough fight from both LDF and BJP. LDF, which had ruled over this ward unchallenged right from 1960s, had suffered a major jolt in 2010 when UDF candidate O S Chandralekha pipped LDF candidate Leela Kumari and wrested the seat with a majority of 163 votes.
LDF leadership now wants all holes plugged which had drained away the votes to UDF camp in 2010. Gopakumar, the LDF candidate contests from his home ward and he has been an active presence in the ward for about two decades. Being his first contest, Gopakumar poses tough challenge to Nair who has to retain the UDF seat and also live up to party's trust which has pitched him as the mayor candidate.
Nair has been hugely relieved after one of the rebel candidates had withdrawn from the fray owing to diktat from district Congress committee. However, his work is far from over. LDF wants to cash in on what they perceive as five years of inactivity during UDF councillor's reign. Drainage and drinking water remain serious issues for the ward which still thrives on a drainage network designed for 40 people four decades ago.
"Not a single development work could be initiated in this ward during the last five years. The much wanted drainage scheme and water supply scheme could not be taken at least a step forward," said Gopakumar, the LDF candidate.
Nair rides high on confidence. "The ward will be retained and the developmental works will be carried forward," said Nair.
BJP, which has remained a feeble presence in the ward, is hoping to spring a surprise. They count mainly on three booths Thamalam, Lanka and Vaniyam in a ward that has seven booths. G Satish Kumar, who is the BJP candidate, has been the RSS karyavahak at Mudavanmugal for 35 years. Past figures, however, don't augur well for the party. The best performance so far came in 1995 when an independent candidate supported by BJP polled 900 votes. Last time, BJP's candidate could garner only 384 votes.
"Things have changed a lot. There are certain booths, where we enjoy strong support," said Satish Kumar.