Fierce battle in Kerala as poll campaigns enter last stretch
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Thiruvananthapuram: With just days remaining before polling, Kerala’s high-octane Assembly election campaign has entered its final phase, setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle that could either ensure continuity of governance or trigger a change of power.
The formal campaign is scheduled to conclude at 6 p.m. on Tuesday after weeks of intense political activity across all 140 constituencies. The state goes to the polls on Thursday.
All three major fronts—the Left Democratic Front (LDF), the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA)—have ramped up efforts, deploying top national leaders to sway voters in the decisive final hours.
For the UDF, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are leading the charge in North Kerala, while Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is set to conduct a roadshow in Kollam.
The NDA’s campaign has been spearheaded by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who has addressed multiple rallies. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is also scheduled to campaign in Palakkad.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is seeking an unprecedented third consecutive term for the LDF, highlighting the front’s development and welfare achievements. His roadshow in Peralassery later in the day is expected to energise party cadres, as the Left relies heavily on its organisational strength and grassroots network.
This election cycle has been marked by sharp exchanges over alleged “deal” politics, with rival fronts accusing each other of covert arrangements to manipulate outcomes. These claims have added a layer of intrigue, particularly among undecided voters, even as anti-incumbency debates continue to dominate political discourse.
The UDF has framed the election as a referendum on governance, pointing to rising prices, unemployment, and corruption allegations. For the Congress-led alliance, this is a crucial battle for survival after two consecutive defeats, and it is banking on a perceived anti-incumbency wave alongside coordinated efforts by senior leaders to stage a comeback.
The NDA is attempting to translate its aggressive campaign into tangible gains. By projecting the Centre’s development agenda and the “Modi guarantee,” it aims to boost its vote share and emerge as a decisive factor in multiple constituencies, potentially influencing the overall outcome.
The resurgence of the Sabarimala issue ahead of polling has further intensified the contest. Both the UDF and NDA are seeking to tap into its emotional resonance, while the LDF has responded with caution.
With silent campaigning set to begin after Tuesday, attention now turns to whether welfare politics can outweigh anti-incumbency, and how key segments, including women and young voters, will shape the verdict.
Kerala braces for polling day, with results whether marking a historic LDF hat-trick or a UDF comeback, expected around noon on May 4. Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan, who has steered the Congress campaign, is confident of hitting the century mark, while CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan projects similar figures for the LDF. The BJP, meanwhile, claims it is making significant inroads.
With IANS inputs