Mr V.T. Balram, the young UDF candidate in Thrithala, has launched an Obama-style campaign for the Assembly elections.
Instead of approaching big guns for election funds, as is wont of senior Congress leaders, he would rather go to the public to collect money. “I have announced on my Facebook page the number of my account with the SBI, Koottanadu,” he told Deccan Chronicle. “The public can contribute any amount ranging from `100 to `5,000 to my election fund. I have also sent SMS to my well-wishers making this request.”
A B-Tech, LLB and MBA degree holder, Mr Balram is one among the candidates hand-picked by AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi to make a difference in this elections in which the rival front is led by the 87-year-old Mr V.S. Achuthanandan. The young brigade includes Mr P.C. Vishnunath in Chengannur, Mr Hibi Eden in Ernakulam, Mr Anwar Sadat in Aluva, Mr K.T. Benny in Chalakuddy, Shafi Parambil in Palakkad, and Mr Rijil Makkutty in Thalassery.
Can these young men make an impact in Kerala’s politics? Yes, say people from the constituencies where they are contesting.
Mr Vishnunath, currently the MLA of Chengannur and state chief of Youth Congress, is generally considered talented and efficient. “He’s a Man Friday of Oommen Chandy and definitely a future hope of Kerala politics,” says Mr Sujith Nair, a voter from Chengannur.
Likewise, Mr Hibi, identified as one of India’s emerging young leaders by an English magazine in 2009, is another loyal in the Rahul camp.
He is a commerce graduate from Mahatma Gandhi University, in addition of pursuing a Bachelors degree in Law.
The fielding of a Rahul aide Mr K.T. Benny in Chalakudy seat, also indicated the current thinking of the party high command that the old should surely make way for the young.