05 June,2024 07:50 AM IST | Thiruvananthapuram/Thrissur | Vinod Kumar Menon
Shashi Tharoor with supporters. Pics/PTI
For the first time, the BJP has made inroads into Kerala, with cine star Suresh Gopi winning the Thrissur constituency by over 72,000 votes. Gopi expressed gratitude to voters and promised to focus on development.
Meanwhile, Congress senior leader Shashi Tharoor likened the vote counting to a nail-biting super over in a T20 cricket match, admitting it was a tough fight. His BJP opponent, Rajeev Chandrashekar, despite his disappointment, is determined to continue working toward making Thiruvananthapuram a world-class city.
mid-day spoke to all three candidates about their experiences, future plans and even failures.
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"Thrissur granted me victory, and I offer my pranam to the people," said cine star and BJP candidate Suresh Gopi, after winning the Lok Sabha election. He emphasised overcoming obstacles with the support of truth and the people.
"If any of you thought this win is a miracle, let me say it was imminent. I bow down to all those who supported me," Gopi added, thanking grassroots workers and supporters. "Over thousand plus people from Mumbai, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, etc were with me for forty two days of the election campaign and they projected me through them," said the actor.
Gopi expressed gratitude to Amit Shah for launching his candidacy and called Narendra Modi his "political god." He also acknowledged leaders like Indira Gandhi, P V Narasimha Rao, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee for their contributions.
V Master Unnikrishnan, BJP Palakkad regional president and Thrissur Lok Sabha election in-charge, praised the historic victory in Thrissur, stating it increases the NDA's responsibility. "NDA congratulates the people of Thrissur for supporting Suresh Gopi beyond caste, religion, and politics. We will work hard to realize Thrissur's development dreams," he said.
Suresh Gopi will visit Thrissur on Wednesday morning, with a large procession planned by BJP workers. "He will take a helicopter from Thiruvananthapuram to Thrissur," confirmed Shivprasad K B, BJP Thrissur District Committee Member. "The procession will start from the BJP party office at 3 pm, covering the entire city." The visit was delayed due to a felicitation event at the BJP State party office in Thiruvananthapuram.
Speaking to mid-day, Shashi Tharoor said, "It felt like the super over was being played here in Kerala today. It was a tight one, but victory was finally ours. I publicly congratulated my opponents for giving a tough fight." Regarding his next plan, he added, "I'm currently finishing some procedural formalities with the Returning Officer, and then I'll visit parts of my constituency to thank the voters before dark. Today, I'll fly to New Delhi to witness developments there. Upon returning to Thiruvananthapuram, I'll spend the day thanking voters for their faith in me and continue working for the development of my constituency and Kerala."
"I bow before the public's mandate. I thank each one of you for your support and belief in me during the recent Lok Sabha election. While the outcome has been disappointing, we all worked very hard, and I am grateful for your unwavering commitment and encouragement," said Rajeev Chandrasekhar, BJP candidate from Thiruvananthapuram.
"As I said on March 5 when I came here, it is my mission to transform Thiruvananthapuram, and I stand by it. My dedication to serving our capital city remains steadfast. I am honoured to have stood as your candidate, and I will continue working tirelessly to address the issues facing our constituency," Rajeev added.
"I thank from my heart of hearts, all the 3.40 lakh people in Thiruvananthapuram, who voted for me. I will be with you in making Thiruvananthapuram a world-class city. My commitment to the city is not only through the prism of the election; it is something that I have made my mission, and I will certainly be here to serve the people for years to come," he concluded.
