Film stars too vote in Assembly elections

Thiruvananthapuram: Superstars and stars of the Malayalam movie industry on Monday rubbed shoulders with commoners across Kerala to exercise their franchise in the assembly elections.

Those who cast their votes to elect their representatives in the 140-member Kerala assembly included superstar Mammootty, his son Dulqar Salman, Chalakudy Lok Sabha member Innocent, Sreenivasan, Dileep, Kavya Madhavan, Fahad Fazil and Salim Kumar, to name a few.

Superstar Suresh Gopi, recently nominated by the government to the Rajya Sabha, cast his vote here in the state capital and said the National Democratic Alliance's hopes of an electoral victory were sky high.

"Elections today are similar to a circus ring, where various strategies are devised. We have done our duty and placed our ideas before the people. Now, let the people of Kerala decide," said Gopi, who actively campaigned for NDA candidates across the state.

Superstar Mammootty cast his vote in Ernakulam and said: "Everyone exercises his or her political right through voting and that's the best part of democracy."

Mammootty's son and upcoming actor Dulqar Salman, awaiting his turn to vote, said he was voting in Ernakulam for the first time.

"In the previous elections, I voted in Chennai. The youth should come out in large numbers to vote as it's their responsibility and right to do so," said Salman.

Parliamentarian Innocent cast his vote at Iranjalakuda in Thrissur district. "Allegations against the present government, pertaining to the 'solar scam' and a few land deals at the fag end of its tenure, will reflect in the poll result," he said.

Popular actress Kavya Madhavan said she could cast her vote in Ernakulam after the shooting of her film was stopped to ensure all got the chance to vote.

Upcoming star Fahad Fazil and his director-father Fazil cast their votes in Alappuzha district.

"Everyone should exercise their right to vote," said Fahad.

Incidentally, four actors are in the poll fray. Jagdish, K.B. Ganesh Kumar and Bheemen Reghu are engaged in a triangular contest in Pathananpuram in Kollam district, a seat Kumar has represented since 2001.

Kumar last year moved from the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front to the opposition Left Democratic Front. While Jagdish is a Congress candidate, Reghu is a BJP nominee.

"The voters' enthusiasm and the huge response are good for democracy," Jagdish remarked after casting his vote in the state capital.

Character actor Mukesh is contesting the Kollam seat on a CPI-M ticket. He cast his vote in Eravipuram constituency in Ernakulam district.