Thiruvananthapuram : LDF has dealt a resounding blow to BJP that touted Nemom as its Gujarat in Kerala as V Sivankutty closed its lone account in state with his illustrious electoral victory.
In the constituency, LDF sought votes on the back of the Left government’s development strides and welfare efforts alongside also explaining the need for preserving secularism in Kerala. Kummanam descended on Nemom hoping to keep lotus afloat. All of RSS’s and BJP’s resources were funneled into the constituecny for the purpose. Vast amounts of money, that came by virtue of holding power at the Centre, too went into the campaign in the region. The party also tried to misuse all agencies at disposal to somehow meet its goal. The party imported scores of teams from districts outside for its campaign - all of which was coordinated by RSS leaders’ families themselves.
Then, with MP’s job as safety gear, K. Muraleedharan arrived in Nemom, deflecting secular votes that were otherwise destined for LDF - an open pact between BJP and the UDF to bring down LDF vote numbers. UDF also brought in paid-workers for the campaign from outside. At no point in their campaign however, did UDF try to make a dent into votes canvassed by BJP. Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi were roped in for personal appearances in the constituency – a stunt for which there took place altercation with state leadership.
UDF’s non-Congress candidate in 2011 secured 20284, votes. That number came down to 13,860 in 2016. Interestingly, though it failed to win any ward in local body elections held last December, UDF came up with 25,000 votes this time around. The grab brings UDF plot out into the open, meaning the sole purpose of Muraleedharan’s arrival was to split up LDF’s secular votes.
Notwithstanding all this, V. Sivankutty’s honest politics tided over all malicious propaganda and ploys. People woke up to their leader who stood steadfast by them at all times. After victory scrolled on screen, Sivankutty thanked people of the constituency with a quotable message : “Now there would be an MLA that is everybody’s .“
