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Kerala / The New Indian Express

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As UDF hopes to hold fortress, LDF and NDA look to breach Vellanad

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vellanad panchayat - ranked the second-best in the state and 75th in the national Mission Antyodaya Rankings - is heading into the local body polls amid political friction. A traditional UDF bastion, the LDF has won here only twice (2000-05 and 2005-10), both by narrow margins, with the second term aided by the now-defunct Democratic Indira Congress (K). Calling Vellanad a protest-free panchayat, Congress leader and panchayat vice-president Vellanad Sreekantan said that the council had proactively resolved many key issues of the people here. One of our star schemes was the Vellanadan Vazha, a special variety of the banana tree which was provided widely to farmers here, he said. Claiming that the panchayat was able to allot its own buildings for veterinary and homoeo hospitals, as well as three anganwadis during their tenure, he also said that a fund of over Rs 25 lakh was spent for the construction of a park near Koovakkudy bridge a common suicide spot here. Calling the governments extreme-poverty eradication process a facade, he said that there were at least a 100 people on the panchayat premises who fall under this category. What more can we do when the government has made their announcement? Sreekantan asked. Alleging that the incumbent council reeks of corruption and favouritism, the CPM candidate in Uriyacode ward J Kumaradas said that tendencies are generally in favour of the party to easily win at least 14-16 seats here. There is a strong anti-incumbency feeling against the council here. Moreover, their senior leaders, including Vellanad Sasi, have switched to our party a move that has not only weakened the Congress, but will also help us gain more votes, he said. He also said the construction of a shopping complex is proceeding at a slow pace. As the site was earlier a playground, it has also caused trouble to children and youngsters in the area. Expecting a good competition in at least 12 seats after having arrived second in six of them last time, the BJP candidate in Changa ward M V Ranjith said that all accomplishments claimed by the panchayat were achieved utilising Central funds. Over Rs 17 crore was provided to the panchayat under the Shyam Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission in 2016, of which Rs 2 crore got lapsed, he said. Claiming that the LDF and UDF councils have not brought in significant projects to increase the panchayats revenue, Ranjith also said that the area does not have major challenges like others, which could have been the reason for its achievement in the Mission Antyodaya rankings. As a farmer and the state general secretary of Karshaka Morcha, I can clearly say that the councils claim of the Vellanadan Vazha is completely baseless. In fact, people have not even heard of it, he said.

2 Dec 2025 8:53 am