Express News Service
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Only a couple of seats would stand between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and historical past. Without a doubt, the Left strongman can be the chief protagonist of the play within the meeting polls. With nothing to lose and quite a bit to achieve, Pinarayi has left no stone unturned in his marketing campaign for persevering with in energy. If veteran CPM chief and former chief minister V S Achuthanandan needed to lead a faction-ridden get together when he had an analogous likelihood in 2011, Pinarayi faces no such menace – neither from inside the get together nor the party-led entrance. If elected, his will likely be first-ever Left authorities within the state’s historical past to get a second consecutive time period.
That a Left win might very effectively show to be the farewell get together of the Congress has compelled the UDF to tug out all of the stops and provides its finest shot. With the Election Commission setting the ball rolling, each fronts are assured of a win. An early election has additionally compelled the three fronts to advance their ballot preparations on a conflict footing, together with seat-sharing talks, finding out inner disputes, candidate choice and campaigning. While the Opposition UDF accomplished its Kerala tour earlier, the 2 statewide rallies by the ruling Left entrance concluded on Friday. On the opposite hand, the BJP’s marketing campaign tour is halfway.
Riding on the Rahul Gandhi wave, UDF hopes to make large strides based mostly on the large response garnered by Opposition chief Ramesh Chennithala’s Aishwarya Kerala Yatra. Noticeably, the 2 ‘Vikasana Munnetta Jathas’ by CPM secretary in-charge A Vijayaraghavan and CPI central chief Binoy Viswam could not boast of getting the identical impression. The ‘Vijaya Yatra’ by BJP state chief Ok Surendran too has been eliciting a light response from the plenty.
In a manner, early polls can be advantageous to each LDF and UDF, stated political commentator N M Pearson. Its victory within the native physique elections has been a confidence booster for the Left. That it received the polls amidst the Opposition marketing campaign to sully its picture with the gold smuggling row, drug racket and a slew of different allegations has added to the Left’s confidence.
Taking a cue from the native physique polls, the Left would concentrate on its improvement narrative and try to keep away from controversies. However, it does have its share of issues to cope with. CPM is particularly cautious in regards to the back-to-back rows, triggered by its secretary in-charge A Vijayaraghavan lately. The UDF alternatively is banking on the anti-incumbency issue triggered by the 2 current controversies – appointment row and deep-sea fishing deal. With the problems lively in public reminiscence, it will not be straightforward for the Left to remain in energy. “It’s not going to be a cakewalk for either fronts. What’s going to be important is how relevant BJP would prove to be,” stated Pearson.
The Left has been harping on its anti-UDF agenda for someday now and it might show counter-productive, felt political observer J Prabhash. Similarly, the BJP’s position could possibly be decisive, he stated. How the spoiler impact of the saffron get together pans out can be essential in a number of constituencies, he stated. “None of the three fronts were caught unawares by the EC’s announcement, as they were expecting the election date to fall around the first week of April. The narrative set by the Left that the fight is between the Left and the right wing forces may backfire. The minorities’ response to it could prove crucial,” he stated.
What stays unpredictable in Kerala is its politically literate citizens which has at all times identified to distinguish between native physique, meeting and parliament polls. It is an citizens which can’t be taken without any consideration. In spite of all tall claims, allegations and controversies, the ultimate weeks of politicking do matter.
What went flawed for the earlier Oommen Chandy authorities had been a couple of disastrous choices within the remaining weeks of its governance. While specialists felt Pinarayi too had been making the identical mistake, senior CPM chief Kodiyeri Balakrishnan begged to vary. “Unlike Chandy, the Pinarayi government cancelled the deals when public criticism cropped up. That the Left takes people into confidence is why we believe it could script history this time,” stated Kodiyeri.
What they are saying
Seat-sharing talks are within the remaining section. We will announce seats for allies by March 3. The remaining draft of our ballot manifesto too will likely be prepared by then – Ramesh Chennithala, Opposition chief
The choice of candidates in Congress is within the remaining phases at current – Mullappally Ramachandran, KPCC president
The Left has nice possibilities of staying in energy. the five-year rule of the Pinarayi authorities can be the most important asset for the entrance, whereas going to the polls – A Vijayaraghavan, LDF convener
Unlike Oommen Chandy, the Pinarayi regime cancelled controversial offers when public criticism cropped up. That the Left takes folks into confidence is why we consider it might probably script historical past this time – Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, CPM politburo member
The candidate choice within the BJP can be accomplished by subsequent week – Ok Surendran, BJP state president
