Candidates were seen grabbing the opportunity to make their presence felt at the Thrissur Pooram on Friday, with the festivities coinciding with peak electioneering. No matter where they are based, Thrissur natives make it a point to be in town for the pooram. The candidates, who know this well, scheduled their campaigning accordingly. Political parties expect that expatriates who have taken leave for the pooram will leave only after casting their vote.
A day’s break
The three main candidates took a day’s break from campaigning to attend pooram. The Left Democratic Front’s V.S. Sunil Kumar and the United Democratic Front’s K. Muraleedharan were seen at various pooram events, including the Ilanjithara Melam, while National Democratic Alliance candidate Suresh Gopi had darshan at the temples in the morning.
Mr. Sunil Kumar is a familiar face during pooram. “Pooram is a part of my life. I never miss any of its events.” When asked which was his favourite part of the percussion, he said, “Pandi melam is my favourite, though it is difficult to choose from the percussion ensemble at Thrissur Pooram. It’s like asking you whether you like Ada Pradhaman or Palada Pradhaman.”
Heat is at its peak, so is the election fever. “But nothing will deter the spirit of the pooram lovers,” said Mr. Muraleedharan. “We refrained from campaigning today as people of Thrissur do not like talking about anything else on pooram day. During childhood we used to walk from home to the Thekkinkadu Maidan. It is a colourful memory,” said Mr. Muraleedharan.
Suresh Gopi, who had darshan of Kanimangalam Sastha, Naithalakkavu Bhagavathy and Ayyanthole Bhagavathy attended the Para Nirakkal ritual of Thiruvambadi. He inaugurated the distribution of Kanji by Seva Bharathi and drinking water for police personnel on duty.
