THIS photograph was taken in Kochi on Sunday, April 6. In this image the prime minister of India is addressing a so-called "massive" UDF rally in the Rajiv Gandhi stadium at Thoppumpadi. This was the lone programme of Dr Manmohan Singh in Kerala and his first public meeting in South India. Dr Singh was here to appeal the gathering to vote for his cabinet colleague, Prof K V Thomas, the union food and civil supplies minister, who is a candidate in Eranakulam.
The Congress leaders made desperate attempts to mobilise people from Paravoor, a nearby area, and from various areas in the eastern part of Eranakulam district. The Buses chartered were also cancelled due to shortage of audience. Mainstream media also ignored the absence of UDF workers at the rally. (NSS)