Categorical Information Service
KASARGOD: For years, 3-2 has been the scoreline for Kasaragod district. Three seats for the LDF and two for the IUML. In Trikaripur, Kanhangad and Udma meeting constituencies, BJP is a minor participant and the combat is straight between LDF and UDF, and all three fall in LDF’s kitty, usually due to the weak organisational construction of UDF, notably Congress.
BJP comes into the image in Kasaragod and Manjeshwar. The social gathering enjoys a loyal vote financial institution — 35% in Manjeshwar and 38% in Kasaragod — however its hardline Hindutva campaigns, influenced by the RSS in Mangaluru — result in consolidation of Muslim and secular votes in opposition to it. Although Manjeshwar has 53% Muslim voters, BJP makes little try to achieve out to them. IUML makes use of such speeches by BJP to its benefit.
From the skin, the race in Manjeshwar could seem neck and neck, however IUML’s A Okay M Ashraf has an edge over Surendran, mentioned political observer Mohammed Nizar Peruvad. “I gained’t be shocked if LDF comes second in Manjeshwar,” he mentioned. Nizar’s reasoning relies on the truth that BJP misplaced round 7,500 votes within the 2020 native physique election in comparison with the 57,484 votes it polled within the 2019 byelection.
“BJP had plateaued in Manjeshwar however seldom does it lose votes. If the native physique election is a sign, BJP is shedding floor and LDF is on the rise,” he mentioned. In Kasaragod, LDF’s constituent social gathering, Indian Nationwide League, has fielded a lesser-known M A Latheef. That reduces the election to IUML’s N A Nellikkunnu versus BJP’s district president Okay Shreekanth.
“Nellikkunnu is prone to win once more,” mentioned Nizar. He mentioned Nellikkunnu was an ready legislator however not an environment friendly implementing agent. In Udma, CPM’s C H Kunhambu has an edge over challenger Balakrishnan Periya of the Congress. Balakrishnan has his power of being a neighborhood resident. However a Congress victory will rely upon the voting in Chemnad grama panchayat, an IUML stronghold. Kunhiraman, who’s handholding Kunhambu on this marketing campaign, has deep private relations within the panchayat.
Pullur-Periya is the one different panchayat the place UDF is in management. As for the opposite six panchayats which represent the meeting phase, the Left entrance dominates in Bedadka, Pallikkara and Kuttikol and controls Delampady, Muliyar and Udma.
