IT is a classic case of securing the bastion even before the battle has been fought. When the deadline to file the nominations ended on October 15, CPI(M) Kannur district committee had a big reason to cheer. Ten CPI(M) women candidates in the newly carved Anthoor municipality had been elected unopposed. No political rivals, either the Congress or the BJP, had turned up for filing nomination. Nomination of four UDF candidates has been rejected by the election commission in the final scrutiny. Out of 28 wards, 14 have been won by the LDF without a contest. Out of 14, 13 are from CPI(M) and one, CPI. Taliparamba municipality former chairperson PK Shyamala, wife of CPI(M) state secretariat member MV Govindan master, won from Morazha ward. That the panchayat administration would be in the hands of the LDF is almost certain. Anthoor panchayat has been a stronghold of the CPI(M). Morazha, a village in Anthoor panchayat has a rich history. During the freedom struggle, the KPCC gave a call to the people of Malabar to observe September 15, 1940 as an anti -imperialist day. The action was disapproved by the Congress high command, but there were meetings and demonstrations all over in north Malabar on this day. Morazha was the centre of this agitation. There were violent clashes between the people and the police at several places and lathicharge and firing were resorted to by the police to meet the situation. Sub Inspector KM Kuttikrishna Menon was killed in that scuffle. In connection with this incident, KPR Gopalan, a prominent communist leader was arrested on a charge of murder and later sentenced to death. But, owing to the intervention of several top-ranking political leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, the death penalty was not carried out. The Quit India Movement of August 1942 also had its echoes here in Morazha. On the 75th anniversary of Morazha incident, people of this revolutionary land bestowed a stunning victory to the CPI(M) and the LDF.

Anthoor was part of Taliparamba municipality. To capture Taliparamba municipality from the LDF, Oommen Chandy government removed Anthoor panchayat from Taliparamba municipality and created a new municipality in that name. But the people of Anthoor panchayat gave a fitting reply by ensuring the victory of half of the LDF candidates without an election.  The LDF candidates have won 20 seats in the district overall including 14 wards in Anthoor municipality and two wards in Kottayam panchayat and one ward each in Kathirur division of Panoor block panchayat, Pappinisseri panchayat, Payyanur municipality and Malapattam panchayat. In other districts also, few LDF candidates won without any opposition. CPI(M) candidate S Sindhu won the Karakkad ward of Kadaikkal panchayat in Thiruvanathapuram district.

Meanwhile the LDF released its people friendly election manifesto. The focus of the manifesto is on efficient service and welfare for all. It lives up to the aspirations of the youth and educated masses. Drinking water and power for all, renovation of houses constructed under the One Lakh Housing Scheme are some of the key commitments in the LDF manifesto. Corruption free administration and decentralisation of power also are guaranteed. There would also be efforts to provide health facilities for all.  Wifi in schools and government offices, and smart class rooms, computer facilities in all libraries are the other major promises. The manifesto was released by the LDF convenor, Vaikom Viswan at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram. The LDF would also bring in programmes for strengthening the anganwadis of the state. There will also be special programmes for the welfare of the geriatric population of the state. Vaikom Viswan said that efforts would be made to start projects aimed at improving the standard of students who are backward in studies. Pain and Palliative care initiatives would be extended to all parts of the state with the help of voluntary organisations.  He said that the manifesto would have projects for enhancing social justice for women through women centric projects. The state government was making efforts presently to destroy Kudumbasree to ensure the growth of agencies like Janasree. He added that interest free loans would be given to community farming projects. At least 100 days work will be ensured to labourers through the employment guarantee scheme using state funds. Green sports, parks, playgrounds and open spaces would be provided in all towns. Libraries will be turned into study homes. Students attached to such study homes would be provided with snacks. Arts and Sports clubs would also be given grants. This would be on the lines of grants given to libraries. Education clusters would be formed for training youth in music, painting, theatre and sculpture. He told that other than issues of price rise and corruption, the front would raise the issue of dangers due to the growth of communalism, in the election campaign. For this purpose, peoples gathering would be encouraged. Public bath space, public restaurant, retiring rooms would be built.

Apart from the state level manifesto, LDF committees of every corporation, municipality and panchayat have their own manifestos. These manifestos are prepared after hearing suggestions from the people. In Thiruvananthapuram corporation itself, 425 suggestion boxes are placed for this purpose. Apart from this, the LDF had approached prominent personalities and collected written suggestions from them. All these reflected in the manifestos. So, people whole heartedly received the LDF manifestos. Congress led UDF also released their manifesto, a bunch of hollow promises. UDF manifesto keeps mum about corruption. Last four years of Oommen Chandy government were mired with corruption allegations.  Even then they are not ready to tackle the issue properly. AK Antony, former chief minister and Congress working committee member accused that Oommen Chandy regime has facilitated corruption in every wing of the government. That is why Congress has kept mum on this issue. BJP talks too much about development but has not placed any manifesto in front of the people. They know better than anybody that they are not going to win in this election. Naturally for them no manifesto is needed.