With hardly 48 hours left for the polling, the camps of all the three major coalitions are apprehensive about the impact of the socio-political undercurrents which could decide their electoral fate in Pathanamthitta.
Sitting MP Anto Antony of the Congress is seeking mandate for a third consecutive term. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has fielded Aranmula MLA Veena George in an all out effort to win the seat.
The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance has fielded K. Surendran, who was in the forefront of the Sabarimala stir.
The systematic campaign, the early start to the campaign, well-oiled campaign machinery and the Chief Minister’s strong backing are definitely advantages to Ms. George.
Rahul Gandhi’s candidature in Wayanad has come as a shot in the arm for the UDF camp, which was divided in the beginning. It has infused enough verve and enthusiasm into Mr. Antony’s campaign.
Three-cornered contest
Meanwhile, the new-found popularity of Mr. Surendran following the Sabarimala stir and the rousing receptions accorded to him by Ayyappa devotees, majority of them women, during his campaign tours have turned the contest into a tight three-cornered one.
The UDF too has made attempts to win the believers’ heart. Mr. Gandhi, during his visit to Pathanamthitta, openly stated his party’s firm stand in support of the believers.
Pinarayi’s claim
Though the LDF leaders consciously desisted from saying anything on Sabarimala in the beginning, the NDA’s and UDF’s attempts to fish in the troubled Sabarimala waters had forced the Chief Minister to further explain the government stand on Sabarimala during his election tour of the constituency.
Mr. Vijayan said the government had done nothing but implemented the Supreme Court order at Sabarimala, besides initiating a series of developmental measures at the pilgrim centre. Both the UDF and the LDF appear to be fearful of some erosion of their traditional votes, especially in certain crucial pockets.
The contest is heading towards a neck-and-neck race and a photo finish is likely. Sabarimala issue, government’s handling of the deluge of August last, the Orthodox-Jacobite Church feud, stand adopted by various communities towards the candidates, and so on will play crucial roles in the winning prospects of the candidates.
Many factors
Psephologists are of the opinion that the socio-political undercurrents in this otherwise calm Central Travancore belt hold the key in deciding the electoral prospects of all the three major contestants.