It looked like a battle between equals – K Sudhakaran of the Congress and PK Sreemathi of the CPM. In the end, Sudhakaran defeated Sreemathi and wrested back the prestigious Kannur seat for the Congress. The margin of victory, 94,559 votes, was a record for the constituency too. In an interview with Express Principal Correspondent M A Rajeev Kumar, Sudhakaran opens up on his challenges, priorities and experiences during the campaign.
I was very much hopeful from the beginning the Congress would win the seat this time. As a seasoned politician, I knew the pulse of the electorate. The response from voters from day one was encouraging even in CPM strongholds which helped us campaign well. Though I was confident of a sure win, the margin of victory was above my expectations.