Krishna begins campaign in Kerala today

By S.K. Ramoo

BANGALORE, APRIL 27. The Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr. S.M. Krishna, is greatly sought after in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry for campaigning for the May 10 Assembly elections.

Mr. Krishna, who will be campaigning on Saturday and Sunday for the United Democratic Front (UDF) nominees, is also scheduled to participate in the second and final round of electioneering in that State.

The Chief Minister will campaign for the UDF candidates in Alappuzha, Kayamkulam and Attingal on Saturday. On Sunday, he will be in Thiruvananthapuram and address the press at the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee office. Later, he will campaign in Thiruvananthapuram North, Fort and Kattakada. He will leave for Bangalore in the night.

The Congress units in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry were finalising the dates for Mr. Krishna's campaign in the respective States, where he will be canvassing for the AIADMK-front candidates.

He told The Hindu on Friday that he was, however, not sharing the dais with the AIADMK supremo, Ms. Jayalalitha, in Tamil Nadu, as he would be addressing poll meetings separately. He asserted that the poll prospects of the AIADMK and its partners would not be affected in any way following the rejection of the nomination papers of Ms. Jayalalitha.

In his view, the polarisation of voters' support had already taken place and hence, the AIADMK leader's disqualification from contesting the polls would not alter the poll outcome in any drastic manner.

Veteran campaigner

Mr. Krishna, a veteran poll campaigner, created a tremendous impact when he was actively and intensely involved in the electioneering in the Assembly election in Karnataka. As the KPCC president, he led the party to an impressive triumph which enabled the Congress to recapture power. A sincere and ardent speaker in both Kannada and English, he is capable of making a deep imprint on his audience. Endowed with a sense of humour, wit and ready repartee, he has emerged as a seasoned campaigner for his party, comparable with the former Chief Ministers late Devaraj

Urs, late Gundu Rao, Mr. Ramakrishna Hegde and late J.H. Patel.

He commands considerable esteem and respect among the Congress leaders of the country. His knowledge of the current political scene in the country and political happenings have rendered him as an impassioned public speaker. His urbane and endearing style can sway the gathering. He does not sound offensive when he criticises his political opponents as he does it with considerable dignity and decorum. He does not ever resort to ``below the belt'' tactics, even when he goes on the offensive.

Mr. Krishna is highly optimistic of his party's performance in the municipal and local bodies elections in the State next month and is not unduly perturbed. He and his party in the State continue to ride on the crest of success.

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Section  : Southern States
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