PHOTO VOTING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN LOK SABHA POLLS, THE ELECTION P C George is not the chief whip of the government, COMMISSION WILL INTRODUCE PHOTOS IN VOTERS' but he is the chief critic. We have to bear with him; SLIPS SLIPS THIS YEAR TO ENSURE THEY ARE GENUINE there is no other option | M M Hassan | KPCC VICE-PRESIDENT

DAYS Dance of Democracy 8 TO GO BATTLEGROUND APR-10 THE TIMES OF INDIA | KERALA | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014 MAVELIKKARA PONNANI

Weather | With eight days to go for polls, Boiling Point | The failure to deliver promises, including the time bound Weather | With heavyweights of all parties Boiling point | The allegations made by UDF that the election candidates of LDF, UDF and BJP in Mavelikkara execution of Kuttanad package, during the last election and his alleged link with campaigning in the constituency, the election ticket allotted to Abdurahiman was on payment basis, is a major Lok Sabha segment are busy with the second solar scam accused Shalu Menon (who got recommended to the Central Board fervor is reaching a crescendo in Ponnani. The topic of discussion. The campaign of workers seeking round of campaigning. The LDF candidate of Film Certification by Kodikkunnil) are the main campaign planks of the LDF. presence of leaders like V M Sudheeran and A votes for Abdurahiman and the statement of Aryadan Muhammed Chengara Surendran started the second leg from Meanwhile, the LDF is attacking the LDF, highlighting the political violence K Antony has pepped up the hitherto against E T Muhammed Basheer that the latter was an extremist Kuttanad on Tuesday, and the CPI national leader of the CPM and Achuthanandan’s recent change of stance in TP case lukewarm ambience in the Congress are being given wide publicity by the LDF across the constituency A B Bardhan took part in the election convention. camp. But the low turnout of people at Earlier, opposition leader V S Achuthanandan POLL campaign programmes in rural areas is also campaigned for Surendran. LDF state Forecast | Though the BAROMETER a cause for concern in the UDF camp. Forecast | The Indian Union leaders Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and K P Rajendran situation is favourable to The candidates of the major three fronts Muslim League candidate is will also tour Mavelikkara in the coming days. Kodikkunnil, it may change, as have already completed their fi rst round unlikely to repeat the big victory Meanwhile, the UDF workers are looking forward Chengara Surendran is a this time, as the LDF candidate to the visit of Rahul Gandhi, who is expected to of campaigning in coastal regions. LDF is seasoned politician. LDF trying to cash in on the drift within the UDF has managed to win the support campaign here on April 5. Chief minister candidate who had contested many Congress workers in the , home minister Ramesh and dissident activities of Congress workers against him was a new face. LDF in the constituency. As a former congress constituency. The presence of Chennithala and KPCC chief V M Sudheeran have feels that Kodikunnil’s failure to Abdurahiman may cause a dip in person, LDF candidate V Abdurahiman is already taken part in the public meetings execute Kuttanad Package and the UDF votes and the front is getting support from some congress workers organized for the electioneering of Kodikkunnil. his alleged link with Shalu Menon, dependent on the IUML to win The BJP candidate P Sudheer has also started his will turn voters against him for his campaign. E T Mohammed Basheer is seats here second round of constituency tour concentrating on door-to-door campaigns

FIRST-TIME VOTER Oommen Chandy I strongly believe in the system of democracy, Poll action: Govt to hire and I think that my adds new spin to vote is my power to change the system. I’ve decided to vote for a Kasturi report person rather than a 15,000 SPOs for security TOI party. Our dream of a TIMES NEWS NETWORK corruption-free India is not a probability but a possibility. The They Will Be Selected From Ex-Servicemen And Former Police Officers Thiruvananthapuram: power is defi nitely in your hands. Use it Chief minister Oommen Chan- K P Sai Kiran | TNN Gireesh inadequate for the purpose even dy has given a new twist to Tessa Sebastian | FASHION if forces from neighbouring Kasturirangan panel contro- DESIGNER, KOCHI Thiruvananthapuram: For states are deployed for duty. Ac- versy with the hope of turning supporting the security personnel cording to police sources, the the electoral fortunes of the who will be on duty at around 21, shortage is very high in north- UDF in the Lok Sabha poll. RAMESH KANJILIMADHOM 420 polling stations in the state on ern Malabar, especially in Kan- Chandy made it clear that IT PROFESSIONAL, KOCHI the poll day, a battalion of 15,000 nur, where there are a large the recent notification on Kas- special police officers (SPOs) will number of sensitive booths. turi report was issued follow- Election is a carnival that be recruited by the state govern- Meanwhile, the Central para- ing the collective effort of So- happens once in fi ve ment. The number of SPOs is an military forces have started reach- nia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and CM Oommen Chandy during years. We need change, all-time high as there is an acute ing the state in batches and the A K Antony. But “to get the fi- an election campaign at movement will be completed in nal notification in favour of but I doubt if this election shortage of police personnel. Kizhakkambalam on The SPOs will be recruited another couple of days. “We are Kerala, there is need for UDF Tuesday evening is going to bring one. We from ex-servicemen and ex-police expecting 40 companies of para- candidates to get elected to the might get a new bottle, officials and deployed at polling military forces, including 14 com- Lok Sabha”, Chandy claimed prevent the release of the draft but it will certainly be booths on April 9 and 10. panies of Karnataka police and on Tuesday. notification. They wanted to fi lled with old wine. The In an order issued by the home five companies from Tamil Nadu “There is a need for getting put government in a fix. Then circus is entertaining department on March 20 (GO (Rt) police,” sources said. the final notification in our the High Range Protection though, to see these No. 912/2014/Home), the govern- On Monday, three platoons favour. Only then will the fight Council decided to join hands politicians fi nally coming ment has sanctioned the recruit- of Karnataka police force, com- be complete. For this, we need with the Left parties in the down to the earth to ment of the SPOs at Rs 1,000 per prising 99 personnel and six of- to elect representatives who election. Hence, their inten- ficers, arrived here as deputed tions became clear, Chandy see us mortals. day for two days. The order says can fight for the state. More that “able-bodied, retired ex-serv- by the Election Commission than that, we need to have a added. icemen who had retired not more (EC) to maintain vigil at sensi- government at the Centre who “When it was realised that ASHIK than 5 years earlier only should tive booths in Guruvayur. The listens to the needs of Kera- the recommendations had KALAM COMMON be considered”. IT IS LEARNT THAT 17 COMPANIES WILL BE DEPLOYED special force conducted route la,” said Chandy. some adverse effects on farm- MAN In addition, it also says that the IN AREAS THAT COME UNDER THE POLICE marches at Pavaratty and Brah- In a detailed statement re- ers, the government had tried FREELANCE preference should be given only makulam. leased to the media, Chandy its best to protect their inter- WRITER, TVM for ex-servicemen and to ensure RANGE THAT INCLUDES KASARAGOD, KANNUR, It is learnt that 17 companies has given full credit for releas- ests. However, the Left was try- that they do not have any political WAYANAD, KOZHIKODE RURAL AND KOZHIKODE CITY will be deployed in areas that ing the draft notification to ing to exploit the situation by I don't have any political leanings. “Though it may be im- come under the Kannur police AICC president Sonia Gandhi, calling a hartal and boycotting affi liation and I would go possible to clearly figure out range that includes Kasaragod, vice president Rahul Gandhi discussions the government for a candidate who can whether the personnel being re- ments outside polling stations,” any able-bodied and willing per- Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode ru- and Union defence minister A had initiated. But the govern- understand cruited are politically neutral, the the order says. It has also speci- son of good character between ral and Kozhikode city. Out of this, K Antony. “The draft notifica- ment could succeed in the rais- the aspirations of the special branch will do a back- fied not to associate political the age of 18 and 60 years as a six companies will be deployed in tion was released exclusively ing our concerns and in get- upwardly mobile youth, If ground check of those being taken functionaries directly or indi- SPO for the purpose of assisting alone. While five for Kerala. However, there was ting the draft notification re- there is a candidate I like, I for election duty,” top police sourc- rectly in the selection process the police in maintaining law companies each will be deployed an attempt by the opposition leased,” said Chandy. would surely travel to my es said. of SPOs. and order. in Kasaragod and Kozhikode ru- parties to make it an issue. Chandy also pointed out hometown to vote. The services of SPOs will be The recruitment of SPOs is The government’s order has ral, one company will be deployed Hence the notification had to that the BJP and V S Otherwise, I wouldn’t used only outside polling sta- being made under the Section come on the basis of the report in Wayanad. At the same time, the go to the Election Commission Achuthanandan favoured tions. “They will be deployed 98 of the Kerala Police Act of the state police chief that the state has already sent 12 compa- for clearance,” said Chandy. Gadgil panel report which is bother only for simple law and order which empowers district police total police force that can be mo- nies to Karnataka and three to He blamed the Left parties more harmful than Kastur- duties or bandobast arrange- chiefs to appoint temporarily bilised for the election duty is Lakshadweep. for creating several hurdles to irangan panel report.

12 INJURED IN PIC & CHOOSE AGE-PROOF SOLIDARITY TOI CPM-BJP CLASH Thrissur: Twelve people, including three women, were injured when BJP workers attacked CPM branch secretary T Manikandan at his home near Kallur at 1.45 am on Tuesday. Police took 33 BJP workers into custody. A company of police is camp- ing in the area. Meanwhile, both CPM and BJP observed a dawn-to-dusk hartal in Thrikkur pan- chayat after the incident. Police said the attack was a retaliation of sorts since CPM workers had reportedly attacked a BJP worker a couple of days ago at Plavin Kunnu. Manikandan, his father Vasu, brother Jayadevan, sisters-in law Nisha and Neethu, neighbours Pallimakkil Vishnu, Chungan George and Puthan Veettil Joby have been admit- ted to the government hospital in Puthukkad. Others who were injured – BJP workers Raghu- nath Karipperi, Kottikkal Dinesh Babu, Suren- dran and his wife Shobhana – have been admitted to the district hospital. Three vehicles and two FULL SUPPORT: Senior CPI leader A B Bardhan greets Karikode Omana while campaigning for M A Baby houses were also damaged in the incident. TNN in Kollam. Omana is always spotted wearing a red sari printed with sickle and paddy symbol

Starting a school is not easy. ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL It is even more difficult to sustain quality year after year. Full Turn-Key to Support to Start Complete Academic Solutions for Chalakudy contest heading for a photo finish New Schools ICSE / CBSE/ FIB / CIE/ Existing Schools T K Deepaprasad M K Sunil Kumar | TNN In his short speech, Chacko spoke Projects may be taken up at any stage of A Aseparate and exclusive curriculum provides about a secular government that would development: conceptual, pre and post complete academic solution: books, Kochi: Despite the blistering summer soon assume power at the Centre. “It is building construction or mid-way through personalised diagnostic tests and reports, heat, candidates of all three fronts con- not drama, cinema or any entertain- running. Build, Own, Operate. Transfer personal development plans, teacher training tinued their campaign activities in Cha- ment of sorts. It’s a do-or-die battle. In- (BOOT) options are available on a case by based on the principle of’Compete with lakudy. While LDF’s independent can- dia shouldn’t become a country like case basis. Yourselfl’ When children compete with didate Innocent sought votes to convey Bangladesh or Pakistan. India should themselves, they achieve more. There is a choice their issues in Parliament, UDF’s P C continue as a democracy forever. That’s Non-ProfitTake Ove r and Management of two separate programmes: Global ME! and Chacko wanted their support for UPA-III why I seek your votes,” he said. Options are provided in collaboration the Global MAXIM Learning System based on at the Centre. BJP’s Gopalakrishnan Chacko also used video conferencing with Nurture International Welfare Society. the already popular MAXIM Classbook s. toured every nook and corner of the to address UDF workers in different constituency seeking votes for Naren- parts of the constituency. From the UDF dra Modi. STAR VS POLITICIAN: LDF-backed independent Innocent is focusing on election committee office at Perum- Innocent’s entourage visited Anna- addressing local grievances while UDF’s Chacko is seeking support for UPA-III bavoor, Chacko spoke to the front’s work- manada panchayat in Kodungallur, a ers at Angamaly, Chalakudy, panchayat that gave a vote margin of date. The actor also greeted people who mate Vijayan Moolampilly. Kizhakkambalam and Kodungallur. To more than 3,000 to UDF candidates dur- were standing on either side of the road On the other hand, Chacko met vot- a query from a UDF worker at the studio ing last assembly and Lok Sabha elec- and threw Kanikkonna flowers to chil- ers to ensure that the UDF votes are in Kodungallur on whether the UPA III tions. After the reception at Vennoor, dren and elderly, much to their delight. intact. Chacko started the day’s cam- would come to power, he replied that Vennoopadam and Annamanada, In- Innocent didn’t touch any serious po- paign from Thannippuzha in Perum- UPA-III will come to power under the nocent addressed a crowd of 200-odd litical issue. Instead, the local leader in bavoor and toured Okkal, Koovappady leadership of Rahul Gandhi. people, including women and kids, at the pilot vehicle briefed the political and Vengola panchayats. Chacko’s cam- BJP’s Gopalakrishnan sought sup- NURTURE NURTURE GLOBAL Pulickakadavu. scenario in the country and state in a paign was more formal and better or- port for his leader Narendra Modi so INTERNAT IONAL ppg g The crowd gifted him a mud pot filled nutshell. ganized. A host of UDF leaders were that BJP could form a government this G S with ‘Kanikkonna’ and wished him Innocent summed up how he present to support him. There were ap- year. Criticizing the Congress for cor- luck. He started his speech by referring would be able to serve them properly prehensions that Chacko would be fac- ruption and mismanagement, he said GLOBAL CLASSROOM PVT . LTD. to some of his memorable characters, as an MP. “Let me leave for the time ing oppositions from a section of his that it is time for ‘the lotus’ to make a 9235 6200 13/14/15 sms GLOBAL to 58888 [email protected] but reminded them that he was standing being. But, I will return,” he said. At own party as he switched over to Cha- difference, while branding the LDF and before them as an LDF-backed candi- Meladoor, he also met his old class- lakudy from Thrissur. UDF as both sides of the same coin.