Election campaign gears up in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: With just ten more days to go for the crucial Assembly elections in Kerala, it is clear now that the principal fight is between the ruling CPI-M led Left and the Congress-led UDF. Though the BJP-led NDA, is also in the fray, they are a force to reckon in just a few seats, while in many seats they can play spoilsport to either of their principal opponents. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is the captain of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and by now he has done campaigning in ten districts. For the UDF, it is a plethora of leaders who are leading the campaign, and for the BJP, they are heavily relying on star campaigners like Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who has visited the State two times and now all eyes are on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is expected to make a flying visit.

Political experts see the Left having an edge as it was the first to hit the campaign trail, their hashtag is "Urepu Anu LDF" (It is certain that LDF will retain power), and they appear to have got a huge boost after a few pre-poll surveys gave them the thumbs up signal which is in tune with their hashtag. But the UDF contends that the surveys are all 'humbug and its most popular leader, A.K. Antony, who arrived from Delhi early this week, have sent out a strong message to the Kerala voters, that "if the LDF retains power, Kerala is doomed as in the past five years, Vijayan has been an epitome of arrogance and absolute corruption and under no circumstances should the voters make a mistake".

"All these smooth talks and a smiling Vijayan will last only a few more days and this is a camouflage till the voting day. People should not be misled by this sudden change of his body language," said Antony. But Vijayan is supremely confident after his tour of the 10 districts that he is on the road to create electoral history by retaining power. "By and large the people have now realised that only the Left can guarantee development and also provide for a secular Kerala, by keeping out the communal and divisive forces. Just look into the huge developments that have come around in the health, education and the infrastructure sectors," says Vijayan.