Kozhikode is famed for its generous hospitality. Be it food, films, fiction or fiery politics, the reception that the city extends is legendary. This election season, however, voters here are a bit confused when their own Raghavan and Pradeep come face to face in the Kozhikode Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala.
A Pradeep Kumar, the candidate of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), and M K Raghavan, the incumbent MP and the candidate of the United Democratic Front (UDF), are known for their wide acceptance among masses. Congress had no other names to consider for the constituency other than that of Raghavan, who has represented it for the last 10 years. He began his campaign much before names were officially declared.
Rival CPM chose a popular face to fight the sitting MP, and the Kozhikode North MLA became its candidate. The third major entity in the fray, BJP, has fielded Yuva Morcha state president K P Prakash Babu.
Warm welcome for 'outsiders'
This constituency has wholeheartedly welcomed Ebrahim Sulaiman Sait (IUML) from Karnataka, V A Said Mohamed (Congress) from Kochi, E K Imbichi Bava (CPM) from Malappuram and M K Raghavan (Congress) from Kannur.
Voters have chosen and rejected both K Muralidharan and M P Veerendrakumar. Congress leader Murali represented the constituency thrice (1989, '91, '99). So did K A Damodara Menon ('52), C H Mohammed Koya ('62) and K G Adiyodi ('84).
CPM has won here only once – Imbichi Bava ('80). Excluding Veerendrakumar's two victories ('96, 2004) with Left's backing, the LDF has not done well. Congress won nine times, and IUML thrice.
Veerendrakumar's party, who left the LDF to join UDF after being denied seat in 2009, this time stands with the Communists.
Close fight on
Payyannur native Raghavan aims at a hat-trick in 2019. His victory margin of 838 in 2009 rose to 16,883 in 2014 against CPM's A Vijayaraghavan. He is immensely popular as anyone can approach him at any time.
CPM had a tough time finding an opponent worthy of Raghavan. They even considered fielding film stars. Finally they decided to bring in a mass leader, Pradeep. He is a three-time MLA who started as an SFI activist. Initially, reluctant for a Lok Sabha fight, Pradeep caught up with the opponent quickly with his campaign once his name was declared.
Prakash Babu is the protege of BJP state president Sreedharan Pillai. The party aims to attract youngsters with this 38-year-old's candidacy. His recent arrest for Sabarimala protests in Pathanamthitta will also become a weapon to reap votes.
Hot topics
The constituency is abuzz with talks of development. UDF claims 'Raghavan touch' in bringing Rs 1,823 crore project to modernise Kozhikode Railway Station, including installation of escalators on all platforms and starting a tertiary cancer centre at the Kozhikode Medical College spending Rs 44.50 crore.
A news report in a Hindi channel is the latest hurdle Raghavan is facing as he seeks a third term. The report, which Raghavan and the Congress charge is a fabricated one at the behest of the CPM, links the MP to a scam involving kickbacks for a land deal.
The CPM has denied the charge but is vigorously pursuing it as a campaign tool. Raghavan needs to put in extra effort in an already tough contest to tide over this row.
The LDF lauds Pradeep's role in implementing the 'PRISM' project in his Assembly constituency that helps students of government schools excel. While UDF praises Raghavan's developmental work of 10 years, LDF laments the loss of a decade under the Congress representative.
It is impossible to predict who will people favour this time. Undercurrents within both the UDF and rival LDF could harm their respective candidates. The recent entry of Loktantrik Janata Dal (RJD) and Indian National League into the LDF may also affect the poll outcome.
BJP will project central government's projects and attack state government's lackadaisical attitude to garner central aid.
