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Tag: Kerala polls

  • Pre-poll money deal: Kerala BJP removes youth wing leaders who needed motion; over 250 employees stop in protest

    The Kerala BJP Saturday plunged into extra turmoil within the wake of the alleged pre-poll money deal after it eliminated two of its Wayanad district youth wing leaders — who sought motion in opposition to these concerned within the scandal — from their posts. More than 250 Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha employees within the district stop the occasion after the choice, with a number of committees dissolved.
    BJYM district president Deepu Puthenpurayil, who was faraway from his put up, was in control of the NDA candidate CK Janu’s marketing campaign in Sulthan Bathery constituency. Also eliminated was BJYM’s Sulthan Bathery meeting constituency president Lilil Kumar.

    BJP Wayanad district chief Saji Sankar stated the disciplinary motion was taken as per the route of the state management.The BJP in Wayanad has been in the midst of a storm after allegations that the occasion had paid Rs 10 lakh to Janu, a tribal chief and the chief of Janathipathya Rashtriya Sabha, to return to the NDA fold and contest the election.
    Janu’s estranged occasion colleague Praseetha Azhikode had alleged that BJP had paid Rs 25 lakh to the tribal chief for campaigning, a sum that was not utilised. Following the allegations concerning the monetary dealings, the police had registered a case in opposition to BJP state chief Okay Surendran.
    The BJYM leaders stated that they had demanded motion in opposition to the BJP leaders within the district who’ve been concerned within the fund scandal.

    Puthenpurayil stated: “BJP district general secretary Prasanth Malavayal did not have any specific charge in Sulthan Bathery assembly seat. However, he was handling all financial matters. We were removed from the party posts after we demanded action against Prasanth over the anomalies in the financial dealings.”
    In protest in opposition to the motion in opposition to BJYM leaders, the organisation dissolved its committees within the constituencies of Sulthan Bathery and Kalpetta. Also, committees in seven village panchayats stop in protest. The eliminated leaders claimed extra folks would resign within the coming days.

  • In Kerala’s Left sway, Muslims, Christians make themselves rely

    BEHIND THE CPI (M)-led LDF’s thumping win within the Kerala polls, there may be additionally a transparent shift of two minority communities, Muslims and Christians, who was once historically the spine of Congress-led UDF. Both communities have completely different causes to rally behind the CPI (M), abandoning the Congress.
    After the anti-CAA protest of 2019, the Muslim group received nearer to the CPI (M) because the celebration received recognized because the power to tackle the BJP. The prompt response of the CPI (M) in Kerala – a human chain in opposition to the CAA and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s announcement that the amended citizenship regulation wouldn’t be carried out in Kerala – discovered favour with pro-IUML Muslim organisations. In the run-up to the elections, Vijayan reiterated that Kerala wouldn’t implement the CAA.
    Also, the BJP manifesto in a number of methods was a reason behind concern within the Muslim group. It promised a regulation in opposition to “love jihad”, and authorities eye on overseas remittance and spiritual organisations to “prevent extremism”. The celebration mobilised a battery of senior leaders from exterior the state to marketing campaign on a powerful Hindutva agenda.
    Senior BJP chief Kummanam Rajasekharan declared that the celebration would convert Nemom – the lone seat it held within the earlier meeting – to Gujarat. While the Congress remained silent, a reassurance got here from Vijayan, who mentioned the LDF would shut the BJP’s Nemom account as properly.
    The Left’s confidence transformed into votes locally– because the election outcomes present. In constituencies similar to Nemom and Kazhakkoottam, the place the BJP was comfortably positioned, Muslim voters rallied behind the CPI (M), resulting in the LDF successful these two seats.
    In Kottayam’s Poonjar seat, the Muslim group’s selection was LDF as properly, in opposition to sitting legislator P C George, who misplaced favour due to his anti-Muslim statements. The Muslim group right here had historically stood with the UDF – George had been a part of UDF for a number of a long time. But when it got here to defeating the legislator who as soon as strayed into the NDA camp, the selection was clearly not the UDF. The Congress completed third in Poonjar.
    In Thiruvananthapuram central, the place the BJP put up a powerful struggle, the Muslims’ selection was not Congress strongman V S Sivakumar, however lesser identified LDF candidate Antony Raju, who emerged as a shock winner.
    In IUML base Malappuram, the LDF retained the 4 seats it bagged final time. Besides, it introduced down the margin of the IUML in a number of seats.
    The Christian group alternatively had a separate purpose to lean in the direction of the Left. A large chunk of votes, significantly Catholic, in central Kerala districts of Idukki, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta went to the LDF as a mark of protest in the direction of the rising affect of IUML within the UDF.
    The Congress confronted this election at a time a rift between Muslims and Christians grew deeper over sharing of quota in minority welfare schemes. The Church had been essential of the IUML calling the photographs within the UDF and feared that if the UDF returned to energy it will have an effect on the pursuits of Christians.
    The resignation of senior IUML chief P Okay Kunhalikutty as MP to contest within the state polls added gasoline to that debate. Also, IUML bonhomie with Jamaat-e-Islami was a purpose for the Church to disengage with the UDF.
    The BJP additionally stepped in with its marketing campaign in opposition to “love jihad”, to drive a wedge between the 2 communities that after stood with the Congress. In Kozhikode district, the UDF misplaced one in every of its most secure seats Thiruvambadi to the CPI (M) as a fallout of the Catholic group’s bitterness with the IUML.
    Vijayan’s gestures to Christians included the appointment of a panel to review the group’s socio-economic situation and inclusion of convents and such spiritual communities inside the ambit of subsidised ration system.

  • Jose Mani provides up RS seat however loses bid for his father’s mantle

    Although the CPM-led LDF retained energy in Kerala with 99 seats, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) chairman Jose Okay Mani misplaced from his social gathering’s residence land Pala.
    Jose misplaced Pala, which his father late Okay M Mani represented for half-a-century, to NCP-Kerala chief and sitting legislator Mani C Kappan. The NCP-Kerala chief had received the seat within the by-election held in 2019 after the loss of life of Okay M Mani. Kappan retained Pala for a margin of 15,000-odd votes.
    Jose’s social gathering bagged 5 seats for the LDF in central Kerala, however the lack of Pala is a setback for him. The Junior Mani had stop as a member of the Rajya Sabha early this 12 months to contest the election from Pala, in a bid to assert the legacy of his father. If he had received elected, Jose would have emerged as a key determine within the new Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet.
    Jose had earlier received elected to the Rajya Sabha on a UDF ticket when his social gathering had been an ally of the UDF. After shifting to the LDF, he had stop the RS membership on ethical grounds.
    In the LDF, Jose had confronted protests from a piece of CPM staff who’ve been historically in opposition to the Kerala Congress (M). In reality, days earlier than elections, KC (M) staff had clashed with the CPM in Pala.
    On Sunday, Jose blamed his rival’s underhand take care of the BJP for his defeat.
    In a saving grace for Jose, his rival P J Joseph’s Kerala Congress received solely two seats out of the ten it contested.

  • Impersonators forged votes of 18 absentees in two cubicles in Kasaragod’s Kayyur, alleges UDF

    Express News Service
    KASARAGOD: The Congress-led UDF has give you proof of voter impersonation at Kayyur-Cheemeni panchayat, a bastion of the CPM, within the Trikaripur meeting constituency.

    Overall, video surveillance and strict monitoring had introduced down the voting proportion to 81.3% from 92% 5 years in the past in Kayyur-Cheemeni, mentioned UDF panchayat convenor Jayaraman A. “Yet, the UDF could not place booth agents in six booths, and in a few booths, UDF agents were threatened to silence and electoral fraud was perpetrated with the connivance of poll officials,” he mentioned.

    In cubicles no. 36 and 37 at Alanthatta Aided Upper Primary School, Jayaraman mentioned votes had been forged for 18 individuals who had been absent within the panchayat on the election day on April 6.

    Of them, 11 individuals are working overseas and one individual is with a cargo ship, mentioned the Congress chief.The votes of the 18 individuals had been forged by 12 impersonators between 2.44 pm and 5.53 pm, he mentioned. “The first impersonator came at 12.45 pm. The UDF booth agents raised objections and the presiding officer sent him back,” mentioned Jayaraman. 

    But later, the UDF sales space brokers had been threatened to silence and the impersonators began coming in after two hours, he mentioned. 

    The electoral fraud was dedicated with the lively help of the households of the absentee voters and likewise the government-appointed booth-level officer (BLO) because the impersonators got here with the unique ID playing cards and voter slip, mentioned UDF leaders. “How can the BLO issue voter slip for a person who is not in place,” requested a UDF chief.

    According to the UDF, impersonators forged the votes of  Ranjith Okay, Shibin T V, Rakesh C P, Sunesh Okay, Shajesh P, Jayakumar S, Byju T V, Sreeranju C T, Kalesh Okay P, Sakhilesh Okay P and Sajith Kumar S who’re overseas. The vote of Sreekanth C, the sailor, was additionally forged.

    Impersonators additionally forged the votes of Lekha Okay and Yasodha Okay, who had been in Goa; Sreenivasan M and Govindan M, who had been at Thaliparamba temple; and Sruthi Okay who was in Kasaragod on election day, mentioned Jayaraman.

    He mentioned the votes for Sakhilesh Okay and Sreekanth C had been forged by the identical individual in a span of eight minutes. “The first polling officer could have easily called out the impersonator but he allowed him to cast the votes,” mentioned the UDF convenor.

    The votes of Shibin TV and Srinivasan M had been forged by one other individual at 2.50 pm and 5.49 pm, respectively, he mentioned. The votes of Rakesh C P and Byju T V had been forged by yet one more individual at 3.56 pm and 5.18 pm, respectively.

    Another impersonator forged the votes of Sunesh Okay, Shajesh P, and Sreeranju C T at 4 pm, 4.48 pm, and 5.52 pm, respectively. Three of the impersonators had been girls, he mentioned.

    Votes of Kalesh Okay P and Sakhilesh Okay P had been forged in sales space no. 36 and the remainder of the 16 votes had been forged in sales space no. 38.

    The mismatch between the faces of the impersonators and the ID playing cards they introduced was evident however the ballot officers turned a blind eye to it, mentioned Jayaraman.

    “We are giving out the time so that the election officials can spot the impersonators from the surveillance footage,” mentioned Jayaraman.

    He mentioned the UDF’s Kayyur-Cheemeni committee had shared the info with the candidate M P Joseph. 

    No scope for criticism: Returning officerDeputy Collector Sirosh P John, who’s the returning officer of Trikaripur constituency, mentioned it was too late to complain now. “On election day, there was no complaint of electoral fraud. In a booth, there are agents of all major parties, then there are polling officers, the presiding officer, and a micro observer. A police officer stands outside the booth. If there was any trouble, the police officer would have registered an FIR,” he mentioned. On prime of it, the proceedings had been monitored in real-time by the collector, he mentioned. “Elections now are not like those held 20 years ago. It is foolproof now,” he mentioned.

    When requested if there was any scope for criticism now, he mentioned: “They can go around making allegations. But there is no point. There were so many officials in the booth. All will not turn a blind eye to election fraud,” he mentioned.

  • Polls to three Rajya Sabha seats falling vacant in Kerala ought to be held earlier than time period of legislative Assembly expires: High Court

    The Kerala High Court on Monday stated that elections to a few Rajya Sabha seats within the state, that are falling vacant on April 21, ought to be held earlier than the current legislative Assembly’s time period expires.
    Observing that the legislators of the outgoing Assembly have the fitting to forged their votes, the bench of Justice P V Asha, in an interim order, directed the Election Commission (EC) to finish the method by May 2, the day outcomes of the not too long ago concluded Assembly elections can be introduced.

    Last week, contemplating the petitions of CPI (M) legislator S Sharma and the state legislative Assembly secretariat, the EC had instructed the excessive court docket that it will be “just, fair and constitutional” to announce the election for the three seats after the brand new legislative Assembly is constituted.
    At the identical time, the EC reiterated that the schedule of the Upper House elections can be notified earlier than the three incumbent members from Kerala retire.

    Sharma had moved the excessive court docket difficult the EC choice to maintain in abeyance its earlier notification to conduct the Rajya Sabha elections earlier than April 21, the day these three seats would fall vacant.
    The CPI (M) legislator was of the view that the EC transfer to delay the election course of would deny the sitting legislators of the present Assembly their proper to vote.

    As per the unique notification, the elections to the three Rajya Sabha seats ought to be held on April 12. The EC was of the view that because the voting for the Assembly elections ended on April 6, giving the outgoing Assembly members an opportunity to vote wouldn’t mirror the desire of the folks.

  • Neoptism prices: CPM throws weight behind Kerala minister KT Jaleel

    By Express News Service
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after the Lok Ayukta discovered Higher Education Minister KT Jaleel responsible of nepotism and abuse of energy, the CPM has come out in help of the minister, who’s all set to maneuver the High Court in opposition to the decision.

    Confirming his resolution to strategy the upper courtroom, Jaleel identified to TNIE that the matter was earlier introduced earlier than the governor in addition to the High Court and each had dominated in his favour.

    Speaking to reporters after the CPM secretariat assembly right here on Friday, appearing state secretary A Vijayaraghavan stated there was no want for Jaleel to step down as minister.

    Echoing the occasion management’s stand, Law Minister A Okay Balan too stated there was nothing improper in appointing folks on deputation.

    ‘No priority of min stepping down over decrease courtroom remarks 

    “We need to verify if the person appointed has the requisite qualifications. If that is the case, there is no issue. Jaleel has already explained this to the Governor and the High Court,” stated Balan.

    “The chief minister has three months to act upon this verdict, if required. There’s no precedence of a minister stepping down based on remarks made by a lower court. Jaleel can approach the court for a stay,” he added.

    Meanwhile, the Opposition got here down closely on the CPM management for safeguarding the minister.

    Alleging that the choice to reject the Lok Ayukta verdict to guard Jaleel amounted to difficult the rule of democracy, Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala stated the CPM was giving a go-ahead to corruption by stating the minister needn’t resign.

    “There have been many instances of ministers stepping down following adverse remarks from courts. This is the same CPM that made a hue and cry seeking K M Mani’s resignation just because a court raised suspicion. Mani even resigned at the time. Now, the Lok Ayukta has clearly stated the minister is guilty of nepotism and is unfit to be a minister. This is not even just a suspicion,” he stated. 

    Congress state chief Mullappally Ramachandran additionally demanded the minister’s instant resignation. “The chief minister has been providing undue protection to him. At least now, he should oust Jaleel from the cabinet,” he stated.

    JALEEL NOT BEING OUSTED AS HE KNOWS CM’S SECRET DEALS: VMURALEEDHARAN

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has refused to oust Okay T Jaleel from his cabinet because the Higher Education Minister is conscious of the alleged clandestine offers involving the CM, Union Minister V Muraleedharan has alleged.

    Muraleedharan advised reporters right here on Saturday that no different minister or CPM chief loved the privilege that the Chief Minister has bestowed on Jaleel.

    “Even though the Lok Ayukta ordered that Jaleel be ousted from the cabinet for violation of his oath of office, the minister says he will wage a legal battle. Has the minister taken this stance with the blessings of the Chief Minister?” Muraleedharan requested.

    The Union Minister stated it was the primary time within the historical past of the state that the Lok Ayukta has ordered {that a} minister ought to step down.

    The Lok Ayukta’s order was primarily based on robust proof in opposition to the minister.

  • Kerala Elections: CPM assesses it is going to get 80-85 seats

    Express News Service
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the Left entrance started its inventory taking after the meeting elections, the CPM feels that the competition might probably have an in depth end. Even because the district committees have begun their respective evaluation, the social gathering is of the view that it might be capable of win round 80-85 seats.

     The social gathering is assured of profitable again Nemom, BJP’s lone sitting seat. Top sources within the social gathering expressed confidence that the BJP’s vote share will take a dip, even because it feels that the social gathering might lose a variety of sitting seats. The BJP’s assured votes haven’t all been forged for some cause. The simmering resentment between the BJP and BJDS too might contribute in just a few pockets. 

    “Several sitting seats witnessed a tough fight, as quite a few ‘sure’ seats turned overnight into fighting seats. There will be a number of sitting seats that we may lose, with tight fight at Alappuzha, Ambalappuzha, Thrissur, Kozhikode North and Ranni. LDF would have lost in Kuttiyadi had the candidate not been changed at the last minute. It’s not going to be a sweep, but a close fight,” stated a high chief.  

    Going by the evaluation of district unit leaders, south Kerala will stand with the Left. In Thiruvananthapuram district the place the LDF has now 10 seats, the entrance confronted a tricky combat in lots of locations. Vattiyoorkavu, Kattakada, Varkala, Chirayinkeezhu, Neyyattinkara, Kazhakoottam and Attingal are seen as certain seats whereas the social gathering is assured of getting Nemom and Vamanapuram. In Parassala and Nedumangad, the social gathering feels that the UDF might rating upset victories. 

    The social gathering Kollam unit noticed that this time too, all the district will stand with the Left. The CPM assessed that Kundara, Kottarakkara, Pathanapuram, Kunnathoor and Chathannoor will likely be certain wins. Contrary to earlier assessments, the social gathering now feels that J Mercykutty Amma can have a cushty win right here with a lead of greater than 5,000 votes. “The surveys and a general impression that P C Vishnunath may win have led to the party improving its performance. She will lose only if the CPI votes are not polled,” a supply stated.  

    In Kottarakkara, Okay N Balagopal might get a lead of round 16,000 votes with round 6,000-8,000 votes coming from Kareepra panchayat. Okay B Ganesh Kumar of KC(B) might win with a lead of 21,000 votes. In Chathannoor, CPI’s G S Jayalal might get a lead of greater than 20,000 votes. 

    The social gathering is, nonetheless, not very snug with the evaluation of Kollam and Karunagappally constituencies. In Kollam, the social gathering observes that the lead might be simply round 1,900 votes whereas in Karunagappally, the margin will likely be simply 500-odd votes. In Chavara, the social gathering feels that Sujith Vijayan might get a lead of two,000 votes whereas in Eravipuram, it might be 18,000 votes. In Alappuzha, issues will not be very rosy. Though it’s going to be a decent combat, P P Chitharanjan will win by not less than 5,000 votes. 

  • Conspiracy theories on cross-voting, vote commerce fly thick and quick

    By Express News Service
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after the state exercised its franchise, the three main political fronts are busy calculating all doable permutations and mixtures to try to decipher the ballot consequence. While the ruling and opposition fronts are assured of garnering a cushty majority, the NDA predicts a hung meeting that may enable the third entrance a major say. Meanwhile, conspiracy theories and tales of cross-voting and vote commerce are additionally doing rounds.

    While the LDF expects to win round 85 seats, the UDF has laid declare to something between 75 and 85. The BJP, however, hopes to safe not less than seven seats this time. In the meantime, all three fronts have provide you with their very own variations of cross-voting in key constituencies. Continuing the Left’s tirade on BJP and UDF over an unholy nexus, CPM performing secretary A Vijayaraghavan alleged that points confronted by the saffron get together, such because the rejection of its candidates’ nominations in some constituencies, confirmed the get together was not approaching the polls critically. 

    “The BJP could not even ensure a triangular contest in several constituencies,” he mentioned.At the identical time, accusing the CPM of becoming a member of arms with PDP and with BJP in lots of pockets, Opposition chief Ramesh Chennithala claimed solely the UDF was in a position to keep away from such unholy alliances. “CPM workers have been unleashing violence across the state due to their fear of defeat,” he mentioned. He additionally alleged widespread bogus voting in Taliparamba, the place he demanded a re-election.

    Congress state president Mullappally Ramachandran expressed concern relating to the ballot consequence in Manjeshwar, the place BJP state president Ok Surendran contested. Alleging cross-voting, Mullappally mentioned the data he had obtained from the grass-root staff in Manjeshwar was terrifying.  “If Surendran manages to win there, CM Pinarayi Vijayan will be solely responsible,” he alleged. 

    ‘CPM-Cong deal to defeat BJP in 45 seats’.

    The NDA alleged that CPM and Congress had entered right into a consensus to defeat BJP in round 45 seats the place the saffron get together had excessive probabilities of successful. Senior BJP chief P Ok Krishnadas mentioned such a transfer to defeat NDA was the results of an understanding between Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and CPM basic secretary Sitaram Yechury. Surendran claimed each LDF and UDF confronted the elections with the assist of communal forces. “Though the SDPI publicly announced its support to UDF in Manjeshwar, the organisation was supporting the Left in several other constituencies,” he mentioned in Kasaragod.

  • Kerala Elections: Keenly-watched seats see decrease turnout

    Express News Service
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The voter turnout within the meeting elections declined sharply from 77.35 per cent in 2016 to round 74.02 per cent (as of 10pm on Tuesday) this time. The preliminary evaluation primarily based on the provisional voting proportion launched by the Election Commission reveals {that a} appreciable variety of swing votes weren’t solid in round two dozen keenly-watched constituencies.

    In 22 seats the place elections had created lots of public curiosity, polling dropped by 1-8 per cent from 2016. This implies that regardless of intensive campaigning, the three fronts did not deliver fence sitters to the cubicles. Such seats embrace  Kazhakoottam, Nemom, Konni, Palakkad, Pala and Thrissur.

     N M Pearson, political observer, stated, “The low turnout indicates absence of swing voters who often decide the winners in the race. But it’s hard to predict who will benefit from this as many constituencies have witnessed three-cornered fights.”

    Normally, the Left used to profit from the low voter turnout. “But things have changed over the years and there was a considerable number of swing votes even among the rank and file of mainstream political parties today. Overall, there was a stark contrast in the campaigning of Left and UDF as the former sought the mandate projecting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, while there was a leadership uncertainty in the UDF,” he stated.  Political pundits additionally conceded that the controversies raised by the Opposition did not deliver voters to the cubicles.

  • 74.02% good rating, Kerala! Now the lengthy wait

    By Express News Service
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Creditable turnout although tad decrease than final time .Results on May 2 .Complaints of bogus voting regardless of ballot panel’s steps .Two aged folks collapse and die .LDF eyes 85 seats.Cong assured .NDA present essential  

    Kerala has made its resolution on who will rule the state for the subsequent 5 years however you’ll know the reply solely on May 2. Braving an unrelenting Covid-19 pandemic and summer season warmth, voters lined up at polling cubicles throughout the state on Tuesday to train their franchise within the meeting elections. The common voter turnout stood at a creditable 74.02 per cent, although it was a tad decrease compared to the 77.35 per cent recorded within the 2016 election.

    While the ruling Left Front expressed confidence of retaining energy with a cushty majority, the opposition UDF camp can be elated.

    Going by the UDF evaluation after the polls, the entrance ought to win wherever between 75 to 85 seats. The BJP-led NDA hopes to make its presence felt with authoritative victories in 5 to seven seats along with ending second in about 10 seats.

    Significantly, the Sabarimala subject dominated the political discourse on the polling day, with the LDF, UDF and BJP buying and selling costs. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan claimed Lord Ayyappa and all different gods would stand with the Left Front for being there for the folks, to which Congress veteran A Okay Antony retorted the Chief Minister ought to first apologise to the Lord for the Sabarimala fiasco.

    The state additionally witnessed incidents of violence in some pockets, together with at Kazhakoottam in Thiruvananthapuram the place CPM and BJP staff clashed with one another.

    The BJP candidate within the constituency, Sobha Surendran, staged a sit-in whereas LDF candidate and Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran flayed the cops. Violence was additionally reported in Haripad the place CPM and Congress staff clashed. In Kannur, an IUML employee was hacked.

    In many closely-fought constituencies, the voting proportion remained comparatively low with BJP’s lone sitting seat — Nemom — recording 69.80 per cent in comparison with 74.11 per cent in 2016.After the voting ended, opposition chief Ramesh Chennithala exuded confidence that the UDF will come again to energy with an emphatic victory.

    ‘Left sure of winning at least 85 seats’

    “The general sentiment among voters across the state indicates that the masses have exercised their franchise against the Left government. The publicity campaigns have not come to the support of the Left,” mentioned Chennithala. He alleged that the Left cadre, sensing defeat, had unleashed violence in opposition to UDF staff throughout the state.  

    However, the Left management rejected the opposition claims and expressed confidence of successful 85 seats or extra. “The Left is sure of winning at least 85 seats. The extent of victory would be known only after careful analysis of the Left wave that swept the state,” mentioned CPM politburo member S Ramachandran Pillai.

    The CPM additionally suspects cross-voting between the UDF and the BJP in a number of constituencies. The BJP camp, although, is but to make an evaluation. While most pollsters really feel it might be an in depth name, one factor is obvious — the bipolar political nature of the state is all set to remodel right into a tripolar one with the BJP-led NDA making inroads into many pockets.