This Article is From Apr 08, 2014

High decibel campaigning ends with caste overtones in Thiruvananthapuram

Dr Shashi Tharoor, Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development

Thiruvananthapuram: High decibel campaigns and a photo finish described the last day of campaigning by key rivals in Thiruvananthapuram for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

While for the UDF, AK Antony finished his state-wide road show in the capital city with Shashi Tharoor by his side in an open Jeep, LDF candidate Bennett Abraham after rushing through the outskirts of his constituency decided to end his campaign with a visit to the children's home.

Mr Tharoor who has been drawn into controversy after his wife's untimely death said, "I have delivered my promises of improving education infrastructure, new railway services, initiating the Vizhingam port project and much more."

But just a few kilometres away from Mr Tharoor, Bennett Abraham questioned the sitting MP's performance as part of his campaign speech. "Shashi Tharoor promised a High Court Bench in Thiruvanathapuram but we don't have any yet. There are no signs of the National Highway promises by the sitting MP." The LDF fielded Benett Abraham, a private medical college director with more than 20 years of experience with social service, in the hope of breaking the vote bank of Mr Tharoor. Bennett Abraham belongs to the Nadar community in the capital, crucial in the Nadar-Nair majority population.

Kerala with one of its highest registered electoral voters will be voting on April 10.

.