Assembly poll buzz builds as Kottayam prepares for major rallies

With the Assembly elections drawing closer, Kottayam has slipped into full campaign mode, with rallies by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) scheduled to arrive in the district this month.

While candidate selection is still some distance away, preparations on the ground are already intense. The CPI(M) and CPI have completed their house-to-house visits, the UDF has begun booth-level mobilisation, and the BJP has initiated grassroots outreach programmes, signalling that all three fronts have moved into election gear.

The central region rally of the LDF, led by Kerala Congress (M) chairman Jose K. Mani, will enter the district on Saturday as part of its tour from February 7 to 9. Beginning from Aranmula, the procession will be received in Changanassery at 4 p.m. on February 7, followed by a district-level reception in Kottayam at 5 p.m. On February 8, receptions are scheduled at Puthuppally at 10 a.m., Ettumanur at 3 p.m., Kaduthuruthy at 4 p.m., and Vaikom at 5 p.m. The final day will see receptions at Pala at 10 a.m., Ponkunnam at 11.30 a.m., and Mundakkayam at 3 p.m., before the rally proceeds into Idukki district.

The UDF’s Puthuyuga Yatra, led by Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan and carrying the slogan ‘New Kerala,’ will arrive in the district on February 24. Receptions have been planned in all nine Assembly constituencies on February 24 and 25.

After completing events in Idukki district, the procession will reach Kallepalam at Mundakkayam, the district border, at 9 a.m. on February 24, where district leaders will receive the Opposition leader and the yatra. This will be followed by receptions in Mundakkayam town at 9.30 a.m. for the Poonjar constituency, Pala at 10.30 a.m., and Ponkunnam at 11.30 a.m. for the Kanjirappally constituency.

The political roadshow will resume in the afternoon with a reception in Changanassery at 3 p.m., culminating in a public meeting at the Thirunakkara Maidan in Kottayam at 6 p.m. On February 25, the UDF leadership will hold interactions with prominent citizens before proceeding to receptions in Ettumanur at 9.30 a.m., Kaduthuruthy at 10.30 a.m., and Vaikom at 11.30 a.m., from where the procession will head into Alappuzha district.

The BJP, meanwhile, is yet to announce its rally plans, even as it has stepped up grassroots-level activities in the district.