2024-02-15 09:05:07
Kottayam: Before the trumpets sound for the Lok Sabha elections, the Kerala Congress Mani faction in Kottayam has announced its candidate for the first time in the state. Thomas Chazhikkadan is contesting under the LDF banner with the hope that the development achievements implemented in the constituency in the last 5 years will translate into votes. It is believed that the majority of the victory won by the UDF five years ago will increase this time. Kottayam Constituency LDF candidate Thomas Chazhikkadan MP speaks to Manorama Online…
Thomas Chazhikkadan with voters. Picture Manorama
∙ Yours is the first candidate announcement in Kerala in this Lok Sabha election. How confident are you on the field?
Kerala Congress Steering Committee and Secretariat jointly approved my candidature. It is an acknowledgment of my actions. Mine was the only name suggested as a candidate. So there was no other dispute. It is a great recognition. I have been with the Kerala Congress Party for the past 33 years and the party has given me another chance. I was a chartered accountant and bank manager. With the untimely death of my brother, Mani sir brought me to the public arena by his hand. From then till now, I have contested in all seven elections under the two-leaf symbol. The eighth election is coming. I am confident that the two-leaf symbol will win big in this election as well. When I contested the elections for the first time, the public viewed me with suspicion because I was an official. The majority I got that day was only 886 votes. Later, in recognition of my work with the people, the majority was thirteen thousand in the second election and twenty thousand in the third election. In 2019, the majority crossed one lakh six thousand. In the last 5 years, we have been able to make great progress in development by working with the people.
∙ Contested from UDF for so long. All those days LDF were opponents. This time, for the first time, the LDF is facing the UDF?
We did not deliberately jump into the LDF. Kerala Congress was with that front for 40 years leading the UDF as a part of the UDF. We were evicted without any reason in the name of a district panchayat. The dismissal came at a time when it was thought that all the reasons had been discussed. Naturally, we took a decision to favor the political situation. No one can say that we are the ones who have gone astray for political purposes. The UDF created the political situation in such a way. We joined LDF for survival. We were able to strengthen the LDF. After we joined the Left Front, this front won many elections. People accepted our change. So we have no difficulty in contesting this election as part of LDF. People accept it. Workers are united at the grassroots level.
Thomas Chazhikkadan became the chairman of Kerala Congress Mani section. With Jose K. Manik and Minister Roshi August. Image∙Manorama
∙ The current opponents are those who stood with you last time. Is there any difficulty?
They know everything. They know under what circumstances we went to the other side. We are gone. Didn’t let us down.
“I have never felt that the three demands of the country that I asked for were wrong. The government has allocated money for those three things in the budget because it felt that it was right.”
∙ What are the major development activities carried out in Kottayam constituency in the last five years?
People have 100 percent approval of my work inside and outside Parliament. I am an MP who has spent 100% of MP funds. This is the first time I have achieved that feat in Kerala. Through Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, an average MP in Kerala can develop 70 km of roads. But 30 percent more construction work was done on the road. There are many schemes of the Central Government for the differently abled. Many other MPs understand it only following I understand it. In the case of railways, it was possible to give life to the doubling of the track, which had been stalled for a long time. Renovation of stations and construction of flyovers made all this a reality.
Thomas Chazhikkadan with his wife Ann Thomas, KM Mani’s wife Kuttiyamma, Jose K. Mani and his wife Nisha Jose. Image∙Manorama
∙ Many names are being mentioned as the opposing candidate. Anyway, the opponent is from Kerala Congress?
There is no problem with that. We had a position. The recognition we get is recognition of the work done by KM Mani sir. On the other side are those who are going to destroy KM Mani sir’s movement. So we have no problem. There is no concern that Apurath is a section of the Kerala Congress.
“We joined LDF for survival. We were able to strengthen LDF.”
∙ Many names like Francis George, PC Thomas, MP Joseph are mentioned as opposition candidates. Who will be the strongest opponent in this?
Whoever comes, I will only work with the understanding that the opponent is strong. Don’t take any opponent lightly. Election activities will be shaped accordingly.
Jose K. Mani and Thomas Chazhikkadan along with the mourning procession of KM Mani. Picture Manorama
∙ What will be the important election campaign issue in Kottayam?
Secularism should be preserved in India. Secularism has been threatened everywhere in India. The left is working hard to counter it. It is the Left that works most strongly once morest communalism. We will convince the people that we also stand with that left wing. I have been able to achieve many things from the central government in all areas for the development of the country. I will also convince people that I can show it a little more strongly.
∙ When talking regarding Kottayam, rubber will also be the main election campaign topic. But including in the state budget, the support price for rubber has been increased by ten rupees. Isn’t the state government also ignoring the rubber farmers?
Not once. Don’t you know what I presented in front of the Chief Minister when the New Kerala audience came to Pala. He did it very efficiently. This government has increased the Rubber Price Stabilization Fund introduced by KM Mani sir. We want to make Rs.200. It is believed that the government will consider it. It is not only the state that needs to help rubber farmers. Even though I raised the rubber issue four times in Parliament, the Center did not budge. Many policy decisions do not originate from the centre. Center shows great negligence towards rubber farmers. Don’t forget that they even tried to shift the office of Rubber Board from Kottayam. The Center is not even ready to consider natural rubber as an agricultural crop. I will continue to raise the rubber issue in Parliament.
Thomas Chazhikkadan and Jose K. Mani protesting in front of Parliament. Image∙Manorama
∙ After the last Lok Sabha elections, LDF lost in Pala and Puthupally. Shouldn’t that be considered too?
All that happened in that situation. Today the Left Front is standing united. When the Kerala Congress votes are added to the LDF vote, the majority will increase.
∙ The CPI had registered strong opposition to the entry of the Kerala Congress into the LDF. Has that all changed now? Are you sure that LDF’s entire vote will fall in the box?
One hundred percent sure. No party in LDF has any kind of discomfort. When my candidature was announced, the first person who came running was the district secretary of the CPI. Similarly, all the constituent parties have expressed their full support. CPM is doing efficient work. LDF will not lose a single vote.
∙ Will Congress get votes?
I am very cooperative with everyone. I don’t portray anyone badly. I have no personal enmity with anyone. Therefore, cooperation will be obtained from all parties. There is every possibility to get neutral votes on any front.
∙ Last time UDF had 19 MPs including you. Later, when you joined the LDF, did you feel isolated from them?
Never felt alone. Aren’t we expelled from UDF? He was in good cooperation with the Left MPs. UDF MPs also did not raise any objection. They were also very cooperative. Personally, I have no rivals.
Thomas Chazhikkadan with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Minister Abdur Rahiman who came to Pala for the New Kerala audience. Image∙Manorama
∙ When the New Kerala audience arrived in Pala, there was a campaign saying that the Chief Minister insulted you? What really happened?
There really wasn’t anything there. He said the presenter not me. In the beginning it was said that what the presenter said here was not correct. You will understand if you listen to the whole speech. The announcer’s text says that the Honorable Chief Minister is coming to Pala following receiving petitions from all the constituencies. When I spoke, I asked for three things. In his speech, the Chief Minister said that accepting the petition is only one goal. I have never felt that the three demands of the country that I asked for were wrong then and now. The government has allocated money for those three things in the budget because the government felt it was right.
∙ Will Kerala Congress (M) be a part of LDF in the next Lok Sabha elections as well?
(with a smile) I am doubting…why are you doubting…we are in LDF. Will remain in LDF.
1707990809
#Thomas #Chazhikkadan #hope #neutral #votes #Thomas #chazhikadan #interview #Kerala #News #Malayalam #News
