The Hindu 22.10.2010
Civic issues top the list in Thripunithura
Shyama Rajagopal
A total of 122 candidates are in the fray, and LDF is aiming for at least 35 seats this time.
KOCHI: Thripunithura is definitely looking for a facelift. There has to be a change in the way things are happening, is the echo of voices of various residents’ associations.
The municipal town requires an overhaul in terms of a development agenda as the town has started suffocating its inhabitants. Congested roads, increasing traffic, lack of waste disposal facility and water scarcity continues to be the election plank of candidates even as the town prepares to be part of the larger developments in the neighbouring Kochi city.
The LDF-ruled council in the town for the last 30 years is perhaps looking for a change, believes R. Venugopal, the Opposition leader for the last 25 years and a member of the council since 1980.
And he puts his trust not just on the anti-incumbency factor but also a very significant factor favourable for the Congress party that there are few rebels this time.
However, out of the 37 seats in the present council the UDF holds only nine seats. This time the municipality will have an increased strength of councillors as Thiruvamkulam panchayat merges into it. The renewed strength of the new council after the elections would be 49 against the present 37. There are a total of 122 candidates in the fray.
The LDF is looking for at least 35 seats in the new council, said K. K. Mohanan, the election committee convenor of the LDF and a former municipal council chairman. The CPI (M) is contesting in 40 seats, the NCP and CPI has 4 each and one for Kerala Congress (P. C. Thomas). This time, there is a direct fight in many wards, and in some the Congress had lost previously by only a few votes, said Mr. Venugopal. The Congress is contesting in 48 out of the 49 seats, and Kerala Congress (M) in one seat.
Residents’ association
Active participation of residents’ associations in the developmental activities in the town has been a positive action on the part of the people here, said Renjini Suresh, the chairperson of the Municipal Council, who is seeking to be elected to the council from Chakkamkulangara, where it has become a four-cornered contest and a keenly watched one too. The municipal council would definitely take up practical solutions suggested by residents’ associations, she said.
Road widening, flyovers to solve land acquisition problems, integrating waste management with Brahmapuram project are some of them on the agenda of the LDF. The Congress has a plan to develop the town by utilising its resources in a proper manner, which includes Pokkali farming in unutilised land and creating job opportunities through self-help groups like Kudumbashree.
The BJP contesting in 15 wards, against 22 last time, hopes to increase its tally in the council from two to six, according to K.P. Subramanian, BJP State council member.
