Chinnakada, the busiest junction in Kollam, witnessed a high-octane campaigning on Wednesday evening as candidates of all fronts converged for the grand finale of open campaigning. The last round of electioneering before switching to the silent mode was marked by the massive participation of party workers who thronged the streets from 3 p.m.
They surrounded their leaders waving respective party flags, shouting slogans and dancing to the tune of pulsating music. The three major candidates LDF’s M. Mukesh, UDF’s N.K. Premachandran and NDA’s G. Krishnakumar stood radiating confidence in the middle of a sea of supporters. While rallies and roadshows were held in all assembly constituencies, UDF and LDF workers clashed at Karungappally, forcing the police to use lathicharge and tear gas to disperse the crowd. Several persons including C. R. Mahesh, MLA, and CPI(M) State committee member Susan Kodi sustained injuries in the incident.
As public campaigning comes to an end the LDF camp seems quite confident about the electoral outcome and the workers say this time they will successfully wrest the seat from UDF.
