VOTING to all the twenty constituencies in Kerala was held on April 23. There was a record polling percentage and without any untoward incident reported, the voting passed off peacefully. A high, 77.68 per cent polling was registered in the state, which is higher than the last Lok Sabha elections (74.04 per cent) in 2014.

An understanding between UDF and BJP were visible in constituencies like Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Vadakara. In Thiruvananthapuram, Congress workers had withdrawn themselves from the polling scene. Previously, Congress candidate from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor had given a complaint to Congress high command against the state Congress leadership, alleging that they were clandestinely working for the success of BJP candidate Kummanam Rajashekharan. The LDF leaders are confident of the victory of C Divakaran from Thiruvananthapuram. In Vadakara and Kozhikode, the presence of BJP workers was startlingly weak. A cross vote trend from BJP to Congress was witnessed in these constituencies. 

Long queues appeared in many constituencies even after the 6 pm. The slow pace in voting due to introduction of VVPAT machines caused the delay. The VVPAT machines were damaged in many places. There are 2.61 crore registered voters in the state.

The Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan casted his vote in Pinarayi, which is his birthplace. After exercising franchise, Pinarayi said that the LDF will get a thumping victory in parliament elections. Pinarayi congratulated all the voters who exercised their franchise. There was enthusiasm seen amongst the voters and a few came from the hospitals to poll their votes.

The election battle is between LDF and UDF. The BJP will not even come second in any of the 20 parliamentary constituencies in the state. Pinarayai accused that Congress has said nothing about the election manifesto of BJP. Day dreams of many will be shattered after the counting, he added. 

Seven deaths were reported in the state. The victims who fell at the polling stations were mostly patients with various ailments. 

Interesting Close Contest Witnessed in Ernakulam

A CLOSE contest in Ernakulam, one of the Kerala parliamentary constituencies, is witnessed between two contrasting political values, one led by the CPI(M) led, Left Democratic Front(LDF) and another by the Congress led, United Democratic Front(UDF). Ernakulam, known to be a bastion of UDF, is poised to show some big surprises, with CPI(M)’s state secretariat member and former Ernakulam district secretary, P Rajeev contesting this seat.

A six-year stint in Rajya Sabha, proved the ability of P Rajeev,as an able parliamentarian and competent administrator. His well-timed constitutional and procedural interventions invited huge applause in the upper house. Apart from this, Rajeev’s performance in developmental activities in Ernakulam district was commendable.

Ernakulam, a cosmopolitan metro, is densely populated by workers in organised and unorganised sectors. Rajeev’s connection with the people in general and workers in particular is an added advantage for the LDF. As a district secretary of CPI(M), he reached out to a large number of people and consolidated his contacts with the people through political interventions. He started various innovative projects like ‘linear accelerator’, MRI scan, dietary kitchen in Ernakulam general hospital, while he was a Rajya Sabha member. Thousands of people are engaged with the palliative care project invented by him.

The UDF has fielded sitting MLA,Hibi Eden against P Rajeev. Congress leadership’s surprising announcement of the candidature of Hibi made K V Thomas, the sitting MP from Congress, dejected. Badly stung by the decision of the Congress party, four-time MP, K V Thomas even went on to the extent of joining the BJP. However, he later withdrew his move. There is a division in the ranks of Congress party. P Rajeev was able to meet the voters soon after the announcement, well in advance to the announcement of the candidature of Hibi Eden. Hibi is also an accused in the infamous rape case connected with solar scam in Kerala in which the UDF government was severely indicted.

Thousands Participated in Kottikkalasham in Kerala

APRIL 21, was the last day of a month long, high decibel campaign for all twenty parliamentary seats in Kerala. There is a hope of a landslide victory of ruling Left Democratic Front in these elections. Polling will take place on April 23. Counting will be held on May 23. 

On the last day of the campaign, all streets had become a fortress of red in itself, as thousands of LDF workers participated in the ‘kottikkalasham’, grand finale of the campaign. Barring some minor scuffles, no significant untoward incident occurred. 

A tacit plan for vote trade between BJP and Congress, to defeat LDF became evident, when some Congress candidates and local leaders made some complaints to their leadership. The UDF candidate in Kollam revealed that he may get votes from BJP. A secret meeting between Muslim League and SDPI, the political wing of Popular Front, also came to light through CCTV footage. All these incidents show that Congress leadership has made dubious contract with terror elements in both Hindu and Muslim communities.

Kerala became the focal point of national election scenario as Congress President, Rahul Gandhi opted to contest from Wayanad constituency in North Kerala. The decision of Rahul Gandhi to contest from Wayanad had invited sharp criticism from a cross section of people, especially from Left leaders.

Two LDF road shows led by Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury in different centres in Wayanad were attended by thousands of people.

There are 16 CPI(M) and 4 CPI candidates in LDF list. The Congress has allotted two seats for Muslim League and one seat each for Kerala Congress(M) and RSP. The NDA is contesting all 20 seats.