No Veena Nair in Ettumanoor, Athira D Nair to contest as NDA candidate

KOTTAYAM: Twenty20 has decided to field a new candidate in place of actress Veena Nair in Ettumanoor. Classical musician and dancer Athira D Nair will contest as the NDA candidate in the constituency. The 25-year-old Athira is a native of Ettumanoor.

Earlier, Veena Nair was selected as the Twenty20 candidate in the constituency. However, while preparing to submit her nomination papers, it was found that her name was not included in the voters’ list. Veena had previously lived in Changanassery and believed her vote was registered there. She said she had voted in Changanassery during the previous local body elections.

Although Veena approached the district collector to have her name added to the voters’ list, it could not be done as the deadline had already passed. A fresh opportunity will arise only when the updated list is published, by which time the nomination deadline will have expired. Since details such as the voter list serial number are required while filing nomination papers, the party decided to field another candidate.

Veena said she will continue in public activities and remain part of Twenty20. She also added that she will actively take part in the election campaign.

Meanwhile, actress Lakshmi Priya is also facing a similar issue in Perumbavoor as her name is missing from the voters’ list. If a favourable decision is not taken on her request to the district collector, Twenty20 may announce a new candidate. Due to this issue, a roadshow planned for yesterday was postponed. Lakshmi Priya had earlier lived in Thrikkakara and is now residing in Thrippunithura. Reports say that her name is missing from the voters’ list in both places.