Kerala elections: Flex board or banner? Chandy Oommen chooses NOTA

Kottayam: Chandy Oommen, son of late chief minister Oommen Chandy, has decided to avoid flex boards, banners and posters in election campaign in Puthuppally constituency. The UDF candidate mentioned that he will go door-to-door seeking votes and money saved from not using banners and boards will be used to build homes for the poor.

Oommen told TOI that in the wake of the Middle East conflict, extravagance is not at all needed in elections. "People are facing several issues, including shortage of cooking gas cylinders," he said. He will be focusing on digital campaigning. "Every household has access to digital gadgets. Apart from this, I will visit every house in the constituency," he said.

"We have constructed 50 houses for needy and 100 more have to be constructed," said Oommen.

When asked about absence of Oommen Chandy in an assembly election after 50 years, Oommen said he is missing his father's guidance. "Though that inspiration is absent, people carry his memories in their heart," he said.

He stated that Sabarimala gold theft issue will be the main topic in this election. "Ayyappa's gold was stolen and it happened during the time of Travancore Devaswom Board under LDF rule. They can't escape from that," he said.

Oommen also said if Congress asks him to campaign for other UDF candidates, he will be happy to do that. "Some of the candidates have made such a request. But we have a time constraint," he said.

On the controversy regarding candidature of his sister Maria Oommen, he said it was all a media creation.