Kozhikode: The Left Democratic Front's high-profile campaign projecting the Wayanad landslide rehabilitation and township project as a flagship achievement failed to resonate with survivors, as voters in Mundakkai and Chooralmala backed the United Democratic Front in the assembly elections.
Defying an aggressive Communist Party of India (Marxist) campaign centered on rehabilitation efforts, UDF candidate and Kalpetta MLA T Siddique secured a clear lead even in the worst-affected areas. He polled leads of 239 votes in Chooralmala and 289 in Mundakkai, both wards that had supported the LDF in recent local body polls. Siddique also extended the advantage to nearby Attamala with a margin of 327 votes. With 97,379 votes, Siddique was re-elected from Kalpetta with a record majority of 45,031 votes against LDF's P K Anilkumar, who managed 52,348 votes.
LDF's Campaign Focus
The LDF had highlighted the completion of 178 houses in the first phase and the inauguration of the township's initial phase on March 1 as key achievements, making them central to its campaign. It also targeted the Congress over delays in launching its promised housing project. Siddique had even faced heckling, allegedly by CPM supporters, during the first-phase inauguration of the township.
Reaction from Siddique
Reacting to the mandate, Siddique said the verdict carried multiple implications. He noted that there were many unresolved concerns of disaster survivors. "Several issues remain, including finalizing the beneficiary list, addressing complaints over loan waivers, and resolving problems related to agricultural land in affected areas. These will be taken up on priority," he said.
Despite the formal inauguration of the township's first phase, survivors are yet to move into the completed houses. The UDF had questioned the lapses in the rehabilitation of the victims, including delays in completion of the works of the houses in the inaugurated phase of the township, and alleged that several affected families have been left out of rehabilitation efforts.
