Specific Information Service
THRISSUR: Thrissur, the land of poorams. Mighty elephants, embellished parasols, rhythmic ensembles, high-octane fireworks and sea of individuals are the emblems related to Kerala’s cultural capital, which holds a few of the most extravagant festivals within the state.
The district has no everlasting loyalty to any political entrance, and has held the humblest of laymen and the tallest of leaders near its coronary heart. It additionally has a historical past of voting in opposition to stalwarts like Okay Karunakaran (within the 1996 Lok Sabha elections) and his son Okay Muraleedharan (1998).
Just lately, nonetheless, Thrissur has been exhibiting some inclination in direction of the Left. After the 2001 elections which noticed the UDF pocketing 12 out of the (then) 14 constituencies within the district, it has by no means had an higher hand within the meeting elections right here. The final meeting polls in 2016 noticed LDF sweep the district, successful 12 of 13 seats. The lone seat UDF gained was by a 43-vote margin.
In Thrissur, the place an intense three-cornered struggle is on the playing cards, actor-turned-MP Suresh Gopi is pitted in opposition to Padmaja Venugopal, daughter of Karunakaran, and CPI candidate P Balachandran. It might not be a shock if Suresh Gopi emerges as a darkish horse.
Irinjalakuda, Chalakudy, Thrissur, Guruvayur and Wadakkanchery are the constituencies the place the UDF pins its hopes, whereas LDF expectations are excessive in segments together with Pudukkad, Ollur, Manalur, Nattika, Chelakkara, Kaipamangalam, Kunnamkulam and Kodungallur.
Nevertheless, modifications within the final lap are probably as BJP votes may show the game-changer. As an illustration in 2016, the LDF candidate gained Irinjalakuda — often a positive seat for the UDF — after the BJP candidate secured round 31,000 votes. In Guruvayur, BJP’s candidature is srill uncertain as its nomination was rejected.
In Wadakkanchery — the epicentre of the Life Mission controversy, the LDF equipment is making an attempt onerous to trounce the UDF candidate. Left’s loss right here could be thought-about as a mandate in opposition to the federal government within the Life row. The final native physique polls noticed LDF regaining its higher hand within the Wadakkanchery municipality and panchayats close by.
Political observer N Sreekumar identified that the grassroot-level organisational equipment of Congress within the district will not be environment friendly sufficient to boost the stakes of Congress, which is the principle drawback confronted by the UDF in Thrissur. “Even UDF doesn’t count on an higher hand right here. However the votes secured by BJP will probably be essential. They even have sufficient potential to overturn the destiny of some candidates,” he mentioned.
