SOUTH
Communist Party of India-Marxist Senior leader from Kerala embarked on a novel green initiative to woo voters, by distributing tree saplings. But the Election Commission invoked the code of conduct and stopped presenting the gift, however green it might be.
Thomas Issac , the Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate from Alappuzha Assembly constituency, preferred saplings of jack fruit trees to distribute among voter's to attract electors.
In his Facebook post, Issac stated that the jack fruit tree was selected owing to various benefits including its fast growth and high intake of carbon.
“I will celebrate my victory by planting thousands of saplings in the state," Thomas Issac
"The idea was to plant 10,000 jack fruit tree saplings in Alappuzha district on the day of filing of nomination. But, the plan won't work out for someone filed a complaint before the Election Commission.”
Alappuzha sub-collector and returning officer M Balamurali gave notice to Issac stating that the distribution of tree saplings is violation of model code of conduct. The sub-collector clarified that the action is based the information given by the flying squad monitoring the implementation of model code of conduct.
Though his plan had to be shelved, Issac promises to carry forward the greening drive. “I will celebrate my victory by planting thousands of saplings in the state," he wrote.