Date:12/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/12/stories/2006051224480300.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

LDF workers take to the streets

Staff Reporter

Secretariat centre of celebrations in the city

SEA OF RED: Activists of the LDF celebrating the front's win in the elections to the State Assembly, in the city on Thursday.

Thiruvananthapuram: Jubilant activists of the Communist Party of India(Marxist) (CPI-M) took to the streets in large numbers to celebrate the emphatic victory of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the State Assembly elections.

The road in front of the Government Secretariat was the main arena of victory celebrations in the city. A private news channel had put a television in front of the Secretariat for the public to know the lead positions real time. One of the first results to be announced was the victory of CPI(M) district secretary M. Vijayakumar. As the counting progressed and lead positions indicated a LDF victory, CPI(M) cadres took to the streets shouting slogans and waving red flags. Ecstatic party workers danced vigorously to the beat of drums. Crackers were burst, sweets distributed and the LDF supporters smeared each other with red powder. Many ventured on to the street wearing shirts emblazoned with the CPI(M) insignia.

Scores of youth on motorbikes traversed the length and breadth of the city waving CPI(M) flags. The former Mayor V. Sivankutty went on a victory lap around his constituency, Thiruvananthapuram West, in the afternoon. Cadres carrying posters and cut-outs of the Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan went around the city on mini-lorries and pick-up autorickshaws. The celebrations petered out by 2 p.m. when all the results were out.

Most people remained glued to the television sets as the trends started coming in from 8 a.m. A large number of people could be seen standing in front of television sets placed in public parks. Political leaders could be seen hopping television studios to give their views and analysis on the political situation. The Kerala Congress(J) leader V. Surendran Pillai, who won from Thiruvananthapuram West, visited key areas of his constituency to thank workers and members of the electorate. Neyyattinkara, Nedumangad and Attingal townships also witnessed large-scale celebrations by the LDF supporters.

The media was present in full strength in front of the AKG Centre. News teams from television channels were out in strength on the street seeking the views of the public on the election results. One channel hosted a lengthy talk show in front of the Legislative Assembly gate. The counting process was peaceful in the city.