An overview of Kerala assembly elections 2021
- | Friday | 26th March, 2021
The CPM has moved ahead of both BJP and Congress in campaign. The party is doubly cautious of the predicament Muraleedharan’s entry has brought in. The CPM narrative is that Congress fielded Muraleedharan to create a bogus impression in other parts of the state about its resolve to fight BJP.
Political watchers, as well as voters and the three political fronts, are on tenterhooks over the eventual outcome in Nemom. As the campaign scrambles to a feverish pitch, the only sitting seat of BJP is already in the throes of a closely contested triangular electoral battle. The change in UDF camp is “quite surprising” this time, with the entry of K Muraleedharan. First time in a decade, there is a sense of euphoria. But the coalition lags behind the other two fronts in booth-level activities. At ward conventions, Muraleedharan tries to charge up the Congress workers. “My father was an MLA of this constituency for only 15 days. He opted Mala over Nemom then. Let my candidature be an atonement. I would remain with Nemom for the next five years… You stand with me till April 6. Thereafter, I will stand with you,” he says.
During the campaign, Muraleedharan tries to bore holes in the development claims of LDF government. He also asks people to banish “communal” forces from Nemom. He vows that UDF is with devotees and appeals to all those who have distanced away from Congress to come back and support him in the “important” fight. He appears to be in a hurry as he runs from one meeting to another. His rivals have already made bigger strides on the campaign front.
BJP’s Kummanam Rajasekharan seeks votes raising the development agenda of Narendra Modi government. He tells voters that only he can be a true successor of O Rajagopal and seeks an opportunity to carry forward the development initiated by him. According to BJP, Rajagopal had brought in developments worth Rs 400 crore in Nemom. But CPM and Congress challenge such claims. Kummanam also raises Sabarimala issue without out adding much colour to it.
“I don’t believe in luck. I assure you that I would be with you for the next five years, if I win,” he quips often, adding that he won’t either destroy public property or bring shame to voters. The innuendos, the voters know, are aimed at Muraleedharan and V Sivankutty of the LDF.
The BJP camp, with a well-oiled machinery at booth-levels, is working overtime to ensure that all voters who have supported the party in the assembly, parliament and local body elections are not won over by the rivals. “We are confident about Kummanam’s victory. But, this fight calls for extra vigil and grit,” says local RSS workers. They are a bit worried about how a few influential NSS Karayogams would act.
The CPM has moved ahead of both BJP and Congress in campaign. The party is doubly cautious of the predicament Muraleedharan’s entry has brought in. The CPM narrative is that Congress fielded Muraleedharan to create a bogus impression in other parts of the state about its resolve to fight BJP.
“Congress is not here to win. It is the LDF government that saved people in the times of Ockhi, floods, Nipah and Covid-19. Pinarayi has taken a bold stand against Citizenship Amendment Act,” Sivankutty says during the first day of his roadshow, and party supporters assembled at a junction admits that he is a fighter. There is a sort of unspoken ban on Sabarimala discussions in the LDF camp. “NSS would try to shift focus on Sabarimala. We need not to respond,” is the casual advice that local leaders give to workers as they wait for the arrival of their candidate at reception points.
Both Kummanam and Muraleedharan are yet to begin their roadshows. CPM, like BJP is trying to ensure that votes that were polled in its favour, especially those of minority communities, remain with it. While BJP and CPM are trying hard to keep their votes intact, Congress is engaged in a dogged pursuit to raid both the camps searching for old pals ready for a homecoming.
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