Kerala - Kochi
No politics this time

The election time has been proving to be God-sent to the residents' associations, offering a valuable opportunity to bring up the local issues to the attention of the political parties and candidates. During the local body polls, many residents' associations in the city had organised 'meet-the-candidates' programmes. Meetings were held at different parts of the city.

But, during the Assembly polls, many of the residents' associations that have been active all along seems to have toned down considerably. The Council of Residents Associations, an apex body of the residents associations at Vyttila, which had organised a 'meet-the-candidate' programme last time, has decided not to organise anything this time.

The reason is said to be criticism raised by the candidates last time about lack of time for discussing all the issues and demands put up by the council.

However, the Confederation of Maradu Residents Association had convened a meeting of candidates of Palluruthy constituency on Monday. According to the organisers, the event was successful even though the LDF candidate C.M. Dinesh Mani was absent.
Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu - 18/04/06)