Thiruvananthapuram
Civic polls: An uncertain mood in the city
By Asha P Nair
29th September 2010 01:16 AM
The best part of an election is always its element of uncertainty. Nearly a month to go for the local body polls, Thiruvananthapuram seems to have worn this irresolute mood, waiting in patience to steer its mind to a person or party.
True, the LDF has been at the helm of matters for too long here; ruling the Corporation, district panchayat, four municipalities and 58 grama panchayats with absolute majority. It has been quick to identify the candidates and launch the campaign this time. And make the entire scenario look favourable to it. But, also true is the fact that the UDF has been gifted with a fair shake, unlike last time. The DIC which had been in the LDF lineup no more exists, many of the members are now in the Congress. The splits in the Janata Dal and the Kerala Congress(J) have made them stronger and the incumbency factor might come to their aid.
It was the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, which is being ruled by the Left for the last three decades, that gave a heavy blow in the face of the UDF in 2005. Out of the 86 wards, 76 had gone to the LDF. However, when the Council ended, the UDF numbers had risen from 10 to 19 with half the DIC and the Socialist Janata party members joining them. This time, the number of wards has gone up to 100.
The LDF has a potpourri of projects, eligible to be showcased. From the breakfast and noon meal projects in schools and the sanitation project to the BSUP slum development scheme. If the headaches caused by the Vilappilsala treatment plant, the menace of unauthorised buildings in the city and the corruption in some departments like the Town Planning are set side, things look better for them. The active role of Kudumbashree is also a boost to the party.
UDF’s focal points
The UDF banks on the political climate which appears inclined to them, which reflected in the Lok Sabha polls. That the local bodies failed to implement Centre-sponsored projects like the JNNURM and the ADB-assisted KSUDP project would be projected by them. The utter failure of the much-hyped EMS Housing Scheme in the corporation area will come to their benefit and so will be the non-spending of the tsunami fund in the coastal areas. They also invest a lot of hopes in the newly added panchayats, including Vizhinjam, Vattiyurkavu and Kazhakootam.
“The people will react to the anti-public and corruption-filled rule of the government in power through the polls. This being the capital will reflect the mood more clearly. The women’s reservation which we introduced and which the LDF now claims as its own, will also do us wonders,” says DCC president V S Sivakumar.
Confident-looking CPM
The picture is that of a confident-looking CPM in the district panchayat also. Anavoor Nagappan and his team rely heavily on the EMS project that reaped goodwill in the grama panchayats, the umpteen agricultural projects, including the Samagra which was adopted by a South African local body, and the implementation of the NREGS. Out of the 28 divisions, 22 had gone to the LDF last time, with the Congress and the Muslim League sharing the remaining six seats. This time, elections are being held in 26 divisions (after delimitation) and the LDF has pinned hopes on not less than 20 seats.
“The distribution of rice at `2 a kg and the giving away of welfare pensions are significant steps that we undertook. Political issues will sure be a matter of campaign. The mess that they made of the Commonwealth Games and the way they are appeasing religious sentiments for votes will be recognised by the people,” says Anavoor Nagappan.
True, the LDF has been at the helm of matters for too long here; ruling the Corporation, district panchayat, four municipalities and 58 grama panchayats with absolute majority. It has been quick to identify the candidates and launch the campaign this time. And make the entire scenario look favourable to it. But, also true is the fact that the UDF has been gifted with a fair shake, unlike last time. The DIC which had been in the LDF lineup no more exists, many of the members are now in the Congress. The splits in the Janata Dal and the Kerala Congress(J) have made them stronger and the incumbency factor might come to their aid.
It was the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, which is being ruled by the Left for the last three decades, that gave a heavy blow in the face of the UDF in 2005. Out of the 86 wards, 76 had gone to the LDF. However, when the Council ended, the UDF numbers had risen from 10 to 19 with half the DIC and the Socialist Janata party members joining them. This time, the number of wards has gone up to 100.
The LDF has a potpourri of projects, eligible to be showcased. From the breakfast and noon meal projects in schools and the sanitation project to the BSUP slum development scheme. If the headaches caused by the Vilappilsala treatment plant, the menace of unauthorised buildings in the city and the corruption in some departments like the Town Planning are set side, things look better for them. The active role of Kudumbashree is also a boost to the party.
UDF’s focal points
The UDF banks on the political climate which appears inclined to them, which reflected in the Lok Sabha polls. That the local bodies failed to implement Centre-sponsored projects like the JNNURM and the ADB-assisted KSUDP project would be projected by them. The utter failure of the much-hyped EMS Housing Scheme in the corporation area will come to their benefit and so will be the non-spending of the tsunami fund in the coastal areas. They also invest a lot of hopes in the newly added panchayats, including Vizhinjam, Vattiyurkavu and Kazhakootam.
“The people will react to the anti-public and corruption-filled rule of the government in power through the polls. This being the capital will reflect the mood more clearly. The women’s reservation which we introduced and which the LDF now claims as its own, will also do us wonders,” says DCC president V S Sivakumar.
Confident-looking CPM
The picture is that of a confident-looking CPM in the district panchayat also. Anavoor Nagappan and his team rely heavily on the EMS project that reaped goodwill in the grama panchayats, the umpteen agricultural projects, including the Samagra which was adopted by a South African local body, and the implementation of the NREGS. Out of the 28 divisions, 22 had gone to the LDF last time, with the Congress and the Muslim League sharing the remaining six seats. This time, elections are being held in 26 divisions (after delimitation) and the LDF has pinned hopes on not less than 20 seats.
“The distribution of rice at `2 a kg and the giving away of welfare pensions are significant steps that we undertook. Political issues will sure be a matter of campaign. The mess that they made of the Commonwealth Games and the way they are appeasing religious sentiments for votes will be recognised by the people,” says Anavoor Nagappan.
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