KOCHI: The power-packed campaigning for the Piravom bypoll concluded on a high note on Thursday. The bypoll, which has turned out to be a prestigious battle for the nine-month-old Oommen Chandy government, is on Saturday. On Thursday, the final day of public campaigning, both fronts and the BJP resorted to roadshows and public show of strength. Most of the state leaders who were active throughout the campaigning in Piravom left the constituency by Thursday evening as per the Election Commission’s directive.The ‘Kalasakottu’ at Piravom Junction had a couple of leaders, including CPM leader E P Jayarajan, former Ministers Thomas Isaac and Kadannappally Ramachandran from the LDF and Kerala Congress (Jacob) chairman Johny Nelloor, Ernakulam DCC president V J Paulose, M P Paulose and Sobhana George from the UDF camp. The BJP too had its supporters and activists taking part in the last leg of campaigning. The roadshows by the activists converged at many points in the constituency. However, the campaign ended in a peaceful manner. LDF candidate M J Jacob told Express that this time the wind is blowing in LDF’s favour. “There is active support from all sections of people. We were able to complete the campaign as per schedule. The general feeling among the voters is highly positive,” he said. Meanwhile, a confident Anoop Jacob said all was fine with him. “We are confident of a 100 percent win. There are no political undercurrents. We have covered the entire constituency and people want the government to move forward,” he said. Anoop also warned that the UDF would take on the LDF if it tried to create any problems. “Our activists have come across threats from some corners. We will face it legally,” he said. Friday will be a day of silent campaigning for the candidates. Anoop Jacob will visit a few educational institutions and some houses, while M J Jacob will devote his time to make personal visits. BJP candidate K R Rajagopal too would make some personal visits. The three will engage in silent door-to-door campaigning to ensure that all the votes in their favour are polled.While the UDF has been focusing on macro-level campaigns, the LDF was busy with micro-level electioneering. With the polls seen as crucial for the UDF, the Congress itself had taken up the campaign on its shoulders rather than entrusting it to the Kerala Congress (J).
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