THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With only a day remaining for the high-stakes assembly elections that will define the future of Kerala politics, the ruling LDF is banking on a historic ‘Pinarayi 3.0’, while the UDF remains certain of a strong comeback.
Following the high-decibel ‘Kottikalasham’ on Tuesday that marked the end of open campaigning, both the LDF and UDF have expressed confidence in securing a clear majority. Meanwhile, the NDA is hopeful of reaching a double-digit tally in the state assembly for the first time.
Despite public claims of sweeping over a hundred seats, internal assessments from both major camps suggest a much tighter race. The UDF expects to land around 80 seats, a significant jump from its current strength. Conversely, the LDF estimates its tally to be between 70 and 75, possibly reaching 80 in a best-case scenario—a drop of about 20 seats from the previous election. The BJP-led NDA calculates a potential win of 10 to 15 seats, aiming for a major breakthrough.
Key campaign narratives included allegations of secret political ‘deals,’ the influence of the SDPI, and recent charges regarding the misappropriation of Wayanad relief funds. While the LDF had an initial advantage in candidate selection and early polls, the UDF believes it gained significant momentum halfway through. A senior Congress leader noted that with a strong showing from the Muslim League, the front expects to safely cross the 80-seat mark.
The Left camp admits that while they faced challenges during the mid-campaign phase due to various allegations, they regained control of the narrative in the final lap by highlighting the Wayanad housing fund controversy involving the Congress. CPM leaders predict that the UDF’s internal bickering will limit them to 70-75 seats. Both fronts concede that the BJP might secure between 2 to 5 seats, primarily in southern and central Kerala. However, the BJP remains optimistic about winning double digits, viewing anything above two seats as a major strategic victory. The state now enters a period of silent campaigning as parties deploy final tactics to win over undecided voters.
With input from The New Indian Express.
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