Kerala recorded 74 per cent polling till 7 pm in the election held to the State Legislature on Tuesday. The single phase saw isolated attacks allegedly unleashed by the CPI(M) cadre on BJP activists at many assembly constituencies in the State.
There were widespread impersonation and casting of fake votes in many constituencies according to Ramesh Chennithala, Leader of Opposition and many BJP leaders. He said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has been cursed by Lord Ayyappa for vandalizing the sanctum sanctorum of Sabarimala.
“Kerala is in for a change of government. There will be a change of government once the results are announced,” said A K Antony, former Chief Minister and former defense minister. Speaking to media after casting his vote at the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram Antony said the violence resorted to by the CPI(M) was an indication of their restlessness and sense of fear arising out of an impending defeat.
Kazhakoottam, a constituency that saw high pitch campaign had to bear the brunt of violence as BJP cadre were assaulted by persons allegedly belonging to the CPI(M). Many women voters were driven away by the attackers as the police stood in mute silence.
Kadakampalli Surendran Kerala’s minister for Temple Administration is engaged in a high pitch battle with BJP’s Shobha Surendran at Kazhakoottam. The rivalry between the two was so intense that the Congress candidate was relegated to the third place.
Hari Kartha, political commentator based in Thiruvananthapuram said there would be a change of government in the State and the Congress-led UDF had gained upper hand by the morning of Tuesday. “The CPI(M) wore a picture of helplessness by Tuesday morning. We could feel the anti-incumbency feeling from the body language of the voters as well as that of the CPI(M) leaders,” said Kartha.
True to his words, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in is brief interaction with the media at Kannur said that people belonging to all sectors were with the LDF. “Even Ayyappa and his disciples have joined the LDF,” said Vijayan.
P Rajan, historian of Kerala’s politics, too said that the LDF was on its way out. “Their arrogance cost them this election. But how much the UDF would benefit out of this is to be debated as the anti-CPI(M) votes are likely to go to the BJP this time. The Hindutwa party had established a commanding presence in the campaign and if they manage to win at least five seats, it would be at the cost of LDF and the UDF,” said Rajan.
Reports from Kannur, the home district of Chief Minister Vijayan, which is a baston of the CPI(M) gave enough indications of group fighting in the party resulting out of denial of seats to many Marxist stalwarts.
It is going to be a long drawn out wait for all stakeholders as the counting of votes would be held only on May 2.
