Left, Hand Drive

Whether the Congress' Rahul Gandhi or CPI's Annie Raja wins, Wayanad has widened the chasm in the INDIA bloc

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Shahina K K in Wayanad

DESPITE being one of the most sought-after hill stations in south India, the summer heat in Wayanad is at its peak. The region's lush green landscape and dense forests, typically known for its cool and pleasant climate, is witnessing searing heat conditions and a yellow alert has been issued. And despite being touted as a 'star constituency'where Rahul Gandhi of the Congress is contesting against CPI's senior leader Annie Raja-the streets appear lethargic. The BJP has fielded its state chief K Surendran.

Annie, who is the wife of CPI general secretary D Raja, kicked off her campaign in early March and has completed six rounds of campaigning in the constituency. Annie, while meeting plantation workers in Kalpetta city, receives an array of responses. On the one hand, the women are hugging and holding her hands expressing love and solidarity, and on the other, they express fear and grief over the frequent incidents of human-animal conflicts that have made Wayanad unliveable.

"Whoever wins, our lives will remain the same. Nobody does anything to save us from the wild animal attacks," says Rema, a plantation worker. She is equally unhappy with the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government as well as the sitting MP, Gandhi, for their cold-shouldering.

Wayanad is grappling with numerous incidents of humananimal conflict, especially during summer as elephants enter human settlements in search of water. The tragic demise of a farmer recently-chased and fatally attacked by a radiocollared wild elephant-sent shock waves across the state.