UDF banks on anti-incumbency, BJP eyes expansion as LDF defends turf
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nedumangad municipality, an LDF stronghold since 1995, is heading into a tight contest as all three fronts have stepped up their strategies for the upcoming local body polls. The LDF, which has held the council for more than three decades, is banking on its long run in power to retain control. The UDF is trying to tap into possible anti-incumbency while the BJP is aiming to make inroads and expand its presence. In the previous local body polls, the LDF won 27 of the 39 wards. Incumbent chairperson C S Sreeja said the LDF will retain its fortress this time as well. With several accomplishments to project, she says people trust the Left to lead the municipality again for the next five years. All the welfare activities here have been planned for the common people and will continue that way. A new public stadium, an ultra modern hygiene market and a modern slaughterhouse are among the new projects. We also have various welfare programmes for women, children and the elderly. Palliative care is one of the key priorities, Sreeja said. She added that Nedumangad was the first municipality in the state to make 35 anganwadis smart, and work is under way to increase the number to 40. In 2020 local body elections, the UDF had secured a total of eight seats. The number had slipped from 2015s 13 seats. This election offers the front a chance to regain the lost seats and it believes anti-incumbency will work in its favour. People know the difficulties they face under the Left rule. Though pensions have been raised to Rs 400, the rates of all other basic amenities have gone up, including the electricity, water, and bus charges. The political situation has changed and we are confident of winning maximum seats, said opposition leader Punkunnam Aji. He said the building tax burden has hit people the most, and claimed it has gone up five to six times in two years. According to him, the UDF will win 22 to 23 seats this time and come to power. He also noted that in 2010, the LDF had taken in independent candidates to retain control and said the same situation hasnt changed much. The BJP, which hopes to expand its seat share after holding four wards in two consecutive terms, has faced hurdles due to internal tensions. The controversy over Mahila Morcha leader Shalini Anils suicide attempt after being denied a ticket and her later selection as a candidate had put the party under scrutiny. We hope the recent controversy will not overshadow the work we have done on the ground. The party has fielded 37 strong candidates and we are aiming to win 22 seats and come to power in the municipality for the first time, said BJP councillor Thara Jayakumar.
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