NEYYATINKARA: Sundays may come and Sundays may go. But this Sunday was quite different for political parties and main contestants in the Neyyatinkara segment which goes for a bypoll in the weekend, as all of them thronged various parishes after the Mass to seek votes.Being the last Sunday before the bypoll on June 2, all the main candidates flocked to the parishes in the morning hours. While UDF candidate R Selvaraj kept waiting with folded hands in front of the gates of the CSI church at Thozhukkal in the municipality from 10 am, LDF candidate F Lawrence chose to appear in front of a gathering in the CSI parish at Kodamkara in the Chengal grama panchayat limits, by around noon. Not to be left behind, BJP candidate O Rajagopal visited the Kamukinkode church early in the morning. Without saying anything in particular, Selvaraj, a member of the Latin Nadar sect, sought votes of the parishioners in the Lutheran Church also, in the municipality. Rajagopal received a warm welcome inside the parish at Kamukinkode.He quickly glanced the cross installed in a ‘lotus’ symbol. Pointing to it, he told parishioners: “I needn’t say anything more on the symbol”. Lawrence, who belongs to the CSI Nadar sect, came across a group assembled in the Kodamkara church auditorium, where a feast was going on as part of the 137th anniversary of the parish after the Sunday Mass. Rev Dr K Pushparaj, vicar of the parish, greeted him warmly. An unassuming and smiling Lawrence rushed through those who were having a sumptuous lunch, picking up pappads and bananas offered by ardent supporters.“I am sure that I’m going to win,” asserted Selvaraj, while proceeding to see the faithful and trying to wean ‘bulk votes’. Lawrence was more candid: “There won’t be any problem for me. I’m getting good support from all sections of the people”.The church, especially the CSI and the Latin Catholic denominations, have a sizeable following in the segment. While both sects have a candidate each from their fold, the presence of O Rajagopal, who is sure to grab a sizeable chunk of votes of forward caste members, have virtually powered a keen triangular contest in the segment. Rajagopal also attended a local NSS conclave at Arayur temple and a ‘Ayilya Pooja’ at Thandalam Nagar temple, before heading for a regular campaign trail.
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