Amidst the electoral landscape in Kerala, both the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) find themselves grappling with uncertainties as they confront a notable shift in voting behaviour among members of the Left Service organisations, comprising Government employees’ associations. Recent reports suggest that unlike in previous elections, these members did not blindly adhere to party lines when casting their votes. Allegations have surfaced, indicating that these individuals may not have exercised their voting rights appropriately while fulfilling election duties. Furthermore, there are indications that they opted for a different voting approach this time around. Consequently, party leaders are apprehensive about the potential ramifications for the Left Democratic Front (LDF), fearing that this shift could exacerbate an already precarious electoral situation.
There was a peculiar system in connection with the postal vote of the Government employees deployed for election duties. According to reports, former votes of such employees were cast by the party men for the candidates they had zeroed in on. But, this time, the Election Commission made special arrangements for such employees. And, they utilised it ‘properly’. Accordingly this time, they could cast their votes at the very same place where they underwent training. They could vote for the candidates in their respective constituencies. It upset the ‘vote casting’ of the Left parties.
Actually, Leftist organisations were unhappy with the Left Democratic Front Government this time. Delayed salary distribution was one of the reasons. They are also afraid of delays in pension distribution. There are reports that they had done propaganda on social media to air their views. Therefore, even the members of the employees’ organisations have reportedly taken a decision to teach the LDF leadership a lesson. Even though the State and district leaders were active in the election campaign, media reports suggest that they had given confidential instructions to the family members to vote against pro-government candidates. Now, Left parties are trying to carry out enquiries to trace the ‘guilty’.
If there is substance in the above reports, LDF’s election prospects would not be rosy at all. Several unofficial studies are coming out which are akin to exit polls. Such reports from Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur are really music for BJP’s ears. K Muraleedharan, the Congress opponent of BJP’s Suresh Gopi, has reportedly said that if the results go wrong for Congress, action will be taken at that time. According to reports, CPI’s C Sunilkumar, an LDF candidate in the same constituency, has alleged that BJP has done a lot of fake voting and has given money and liquor to influence the poll, so they will complain to the Election Commission. These two statements sound like ‘anticipatory bails’ in light of the likely election debacles. Meanwhile, Suresh Gopi said he is fully confident of the win and, as an MP, he would work for the development of the constituency. Reports from Thrissur suggest that Suresh Gopi’s win is beyond any doubt.
The situation in Thiruvananthapuram is not different. There CPI’s Pannyan Raveendran’s campaign had waned after first few days. Sasi Tharoor’s campaign was not as energetic as it used to be during the last three Lok Sabha elections. In several places, his convoy had to face the protests from the Congress people. On the other hand, the campaign of Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the BJP/NDA candidate, had been gaining momentum day by day in geometrical progression from day one to the last day of the public campaign. He could easily connect with all sections of the society during his campaign. His professional background and his track record as a successful Union Minister have attracted the admiration of the entire population in the constituency. The voters believe that a victorious Rajeev Chandrasekhar will be a Minister in PM Modi’s cabinet or council ministers. They are extremely happy that Rajeev Chandrasekhar has already drafted a master plan for the development and progress of the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency. When it was released, the voters realised how concerned their candidate was with their affairs, issues and grievances. Therefore, naturally, they have accepted him as their candidate.
Vellappalli Natesan, General Secretary of Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP Yogam), the powerful community organisation of Hindu Ezhavas, has said that BJP is going to capture more votes than in the past. He pointed out that despite being the last candidate to enter the fray in the Thiruvananthapuram constituency, Rajeev Chandrasekhar has succeeded in an effective campaign. Referring to the firebrand Shobha Surendran, the BJP candidate in Alappuzha, his home district, Natesan said that she had attracted the people’s attention with her oratory and actions. He said she would increase her tally much more than in any other elections in the past.
On top of everything, the controversies arose from the news of meeting of BJP leaders with Congress and CPM leaders have boomeranged on both parties. Since the issue became hot on the eve of the Lok Sabha polling, no doubt, the issue might have turned BJP’s advantage.
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