Thiruvananthapuram: Members of a pro-CPI(M) organization and their families boycotted the election and went vacationing as a mark of protest against policies of left government in Kerala. Discussions have heated up in CPI(M) circles after the media took up the issue.
Kerala State Pensioners Union (a pro-communist organization) members of Vellanad unit boycotted the election and went for tour just before the voting day. Their ten-day itinerary includes places like Delhi.
The members of the organization were miffed after the state government cut off many pension benefits. They had approached the CPI(M) leadership and had warned that they would keep away from election work if the wrong policies were not reversed. The members are voters of Attingal Lok Sabha constituency.
The voting percentage at Attingal constituency was 69.36%, which is 4.5% down from the previous Lok Sabha election. The CPI(M) fears that the low turnout of voters this time is a sign of displeasure against the leftist government.
Although Attingal is seen as a stronghold of the left, there is a huge backlash against the left government in the constituency this time`. The voters of Attingal are not happy with the government’s attempts to help those who were responsible for the death of Siddharth, a student at Pookode Veterinary University. Siddharth’s family members belong to Attingal constituency.
It is believed that BJP might gain in the constituency after voters are dissatisfied with both the left and Congress fronts. While NDA fielded Union Minister of State, V Muraleedharan, the left front candidate is Varkala MLA, V Joy. The Congress candidate is Adoor Prakash.
Comments