Campaign takes a toll on seniors

The 70-odd days of election campaign which involved a lot of travelling and tough physical work had a telling effect on the general physical condition of all Kerala candidates, but most leaders took enough precaution not to break their daily routines.

Nonagenarian Opposition leader V.S. Achuthanandan, who travelled the length and breadth of the state, followed his now-famous daily regime. He ensured that he had a 30-minute walk in the morning and in the evening and 15 minutes of yoga everyday. While his son V.A. Arun Kumar was in charge of his temporary office in Chandranagar in Palakkad, his aide Sreejith accompanied him on his travels to follow up on his personal needs.

CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan continued with his daily routine of getting up at 5 am and sleeping past 11 pm.

“He would take a nap in the noon after he developed vertigo, and that’s the only luxury he has during the day time,” said a close aide. “He has taken treatment for it and at present has no health issues.”

Veteran leader K.M. Mani also took sufficient care of his health as the campaign period was unusually long. “He would get up at 6, and would be ready for the first meeting by 9,” said people close to him.

“The morning programmes would end by around 1 pm. All that he takes in between is tender coconut water.” Mr Mani’s second leg of campaigning would start by 3.30 pm and would go up to 11 pm.