By Shafeeq Hudawi, TwoCircles.net
Kozhikode: Elections, whether it be the local self-governing body, legislative assembly or general elections Kerala witnesses a huge flow of Non Resident Keralites (NRK) as most of them wish to extend possible support to their parties. This time the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC), the NRK outfit of IUML, has chartered a flight from UAE in order to help its members cast their votes in assembly polls while ‘vote buses’ will be operated to Malabar from Chennai, Bangalore and Mysore. An Air India flight will fly from Dubai to Karipur International in Kozhikode with 165 expatriates belonging to various districts of Malabar on May 15.
The flight will have voters from Tirur, Tanur, Mankada, Kozhikode South, Kuttyadi, Thiruvambadi, Koduvally and Azheekode, where IUML is facing neck to neck fight from CPIM led Left Democratic Front (LDF)
“This time each vote assumes significance as our party is facing strong fight. Besides, expatriates, who have been holding campaigns outside Kerala will have a direct involvement in fight for the pride,” Haneefa Munniyur, Pravasi League state committee functionary and KMCC member told Twocircles. According to him, the move was initiated to help the expatriates who find it difficult to get flight ticket for coming home.
Each homecoming member will pay 450 Dirhams towards the expense of the flight ticket. KMCC has paid excessive amount for tickets as the ticket is available in lesser prices starting from 300 Dirhams.
Meanwhile, several buses, arranged by KMCC, will be plying from Bangalore, Mysore and Chennai carrying voters belonging to these constituencies.
According to Bangalore KMCC secretary Moithu Maniyur, the KMCC here has arranged 15 buses from various spots like Kalasipalayam, Kammanahalli and Marthahalli while 15 buses will be plied from areas with strong Malayali presence in Avadi, T Nagar, Periyamed, Paris, Chennai Central and Anna Nagar in Chennai.
Bangalore has more than 8,500 active members while around 5,000 members are working for KMCC in Chennai. From Mysore, three buses will take KMCC members their home to cast votes.
“Buses have been booked and we will be going on May 15,” said KMCC Chennai functionary A Shamsudheen.
The KMCC members are also carrying strong campaigns among Malayalis in GCC along with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
“This time the party needs our service very much as pride is at stake in some of the constituencies,” Shamsudheen added.