Local body polls: Results to reveal Keralas political mood ahead of assembly election
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Clouded for months by sexual assault allegations involving expelled MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, Keralas political climate is set for a decisive shift as the local body election results roll in on Saturday. For the LDF which has enjoyed close to a decade in power, the numbers will be unforgiving. Any slide in corporations, district panchayats, municipalities and grama panchayats will be read either as a verdict on its governance record or a clear sign of anti-incumbency. The result will be decisive in shaping its course towards the next assembly election for the UDF, which has been out of power for almost 10 years. Compared to the two fronts, the result will be an indicator of the future of NDA which strives to achieve a reliable third force position in the state. CPM sources said the party had approached the election with utmost caution considering the anti-incumbency factor. Our focus remains on development politics and welfare measures implemented by our government, said a senior leader. Reports from some district committees suggest cross voting by BJP supporters for the UDF in certain wards where the former is not strong. The CPM leadership also believes the Sabarimala gold theft case will have only minimal impact, especially after the arrest of two former Travancore Devaswom Board presidents. A setback for the LDF would force the CPM to undertake a serious introspection on governance and strategies to counter anti-incumbency. The polls also mark the first significant election test for state secretary M V Govindan since assuming office. For the UDF, the results will serve as a litmus test of its revival prospects. Congress leaders are confident of improving on their earlier dismal performance in 2020. They also reject the CPM claim that the Sabarimala issue will not influence voters. Despite the KPCC declaring the matter irrelevant after taking action against Rahul, many within Congress and the UDF fear the handling of the controversy and the public sparring among senior leaders may hurt the fronts prospects. There is a strong anti-government wave in the state, said a Congress leader. However, several leaders within the party warn that a poor performance could force the UDF into a position that would be difficult to recover from. The election is also a critical test for KPCC president Sunny Joseph and three working presidents who are leading the first major election. The BJP, meanwhile, has set an ambitious target of 25 per cent vote share in this election, following a directive from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. BJP will be the true beneficiary of the Sabarimala issue. In Christian-dominated areas too, we will do better, said a BJP leader. For state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the election is a test of his emphasis on development politics, a marked shift from the partys Hindutva approach. Failure to capture power in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur corporation or retain power in Palakkad and Pandalam municipalities will be viewed as a significant setback for both the party, and Chandrasekhar personally.
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