Kannur (Kerala), March 17 Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan conducted a massive roadshow in his assembly constituency, Dharmadam, on Tuesday, launching his campaign for the high-stakes April 9 elections.
Hundreds of party workers gathered at the international airport in Mattannur to receive the CM and gave him a warm welcome.
Later, they accompanied him in the roadshow on two-wheelers and other vehicles that started from the airport.
Party activists and local leaders participated in the massive vehicle rally, raising slogans and displaying party flags in their vehicles.
It was the first time that Vijayan was arriving in the party's stronghold, Kannur, after the announcement of the election schedule.
Thus, the roadshow marked the launch of his official election campaign.
A large gathering of local people, including women, could be seen waiting on the roadside when he arrived at his constituency.
Some elderly supporters were standing holding pictures of the CM at Pinarayi.
Vijayan, accompanied by his wife Kamala and other leaders, including CPI (M) district secretary K K Ragesh, engaged in warm conversations with them.
An excited party worker said that Vijayan would retain the constituency with a resounding majority of one lakh votes in the upcoming polls.
Vijayan is expected to participate in various campaign programs in the coming days.
The CM arrived in the district hours after the party district leadership expelled veteran leader T K Govindan, who had protested against the candidature of CPI (M) state secretary M V Govindan's wife, T K Shyamala, in the Taliparamba constituency.
The Dharmadam assembly constituency, a known left stronghold, comprises the panchayats of Chembilode, Kadambur, Peralassery, Dharmadam, Pinarayi, Muzhappilangad, Vengad, and Ancharakandi.
Established in 2008, it has a total of 1,93,486 voters according to the 2021 electoral rolls.
Vijayan secured 95,522 votes in the 2021 assembly elections. He had a massive margin of over 50,000 votes against his nearest rival, C Raghunathan of the Congress party.