Coastal community is questioning candidates in Attingal constituency
Thiruvananthapuram: The coastal community of Attingal constituency expressed their disappointment with the Lok Sabha candidates at a ‘Meet the Candidates’ event organized by the Latin Diocese of Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.
He expressed his concerns and anguish over the lack of transparency in implementing the Coastal Highway Project, resolving the issues related to Muthalapozhi Harbor and the Blue Economy Policy of the Central Government. With no discrimination between LDF, UDF and NDA candidates, the public expressed their disappointment about the broken promises and neglect in the area at the event held in Menamkulam.
LDF candidate V Joy was the first to reach the venue. However, he left the meeting after giving a brief statement on inclusive development of the state government. He entrusted the difficult task of taking questions from the public to V Sasi, who represents Chirayinkeezhu assembly constituency.
Sitting MP Adoor Prakash arrived late by about one and a half hour and had to face the most questions. At one point, Sasi and Prakash competed with each other to install the maximum number of high mast lights in Muthalpozhi Harbour. While the latter said they have allocated funds for six lights, the former said their MLA funds were used to install four mast lights at locations where fishermen needed them most.
Sasi claimed that the state government had taken the initiative to resolve the port issue by initiating a study by the Central Water and Power Research Station much before the Center thought of the plan. However, Adoor Prakash said he received a response in Parliament that the state project is not sufficient to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, a fisherman attending the meeting stood up and told them that the fishermen who know more about the problems of the port can also tell about the solutions. He did not hide his dissatisfaction with the MP for not meeting the fishermen following the deadly maritime accidents in the area.
Sasi said that due to the election code of conduct, the tender process for the Muthalapozhi project worth Rs 164 crore could not be started. He also said that the coastal highway project was conceived after discussing the layout with the Latin Church leadership and a detailed project report could be made only after the alignment was finalized.
Meanwhile, NDA candidate V Muraleedharan did not turn up for the event though the organizers had scheduled the event after ensuring the availability of all the candidates. He sent a note promising comprehensive development, jobs and dignity of life to the fishermen community.
The Election Commission has rejected the nomination of Shirley John, wife of former CSI Bishop Dharamraj Raslam. Nominations of eight other candidates were also rejected after scrutiny in Thiruvananthapuram. The candidates are Akhil MA (Equality Party of India), Joseph Johnson (Independent), Shirley John (Independent), Jain Wilson (Independent), Mithra Kumar G (Independent), Vinod SV (Viduthalai Chiruthigal Katchi) and S Rahumudin (Independent). .
The nominations of dummy candidates of BJP and CPI – VV Rajesh and Arun – were also rejected. Nominations of six candidates were rejected in Attingal constituency. They are Vinod Rajkumar (All Kerala Trinamool Party), Anil Kumar GT (Independent), Vivekanandan K (Independent), Mohammed Faizi N (Independent), Vinod K (Independent), Ajaykumar C, (CPM, dummy candidate) and Rajasekharan Nair S. . , (BJP, dummy candidate).
