THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the heat of the upcoming Assembly elections intensifies, the political spotlight of Kerala has firmly shifted to three prestigious constituencies in the capital city. Early indicators suggest a significant setback for CPI(M) candidates in Vattiyoorkavu, Nemom, and Kazhakoottam, as a potent mix of anti-incumbency and explosive controversies leaves the Left Democratic Front (LDF) on the defensive.
Kazhakoottam: Sabarimala Controversy Returns to Haunt Kadakampally
In Kazhakoottam, the shadow of the Sabarimala “Gold Robbery” allegations is proving to be a major hurdle for LDF candidate Kadakampally Surendran. The veteran leader, who has been at the center of several religious and administrative storms, is reportedly facing a decline in popularity, with local assessments suggesting he might even be pushed to the third position. The real battle here has narrowed down to a fierce duel between Congress veteran Sarath Chandra Prasad and BJP heavy-weight, Union Minister V. Muraleedharan.
Nemom: A High-Stakes Clash Between Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Sabarinadhan
Nemom, often dubbed the “Gujarat of Kerala” by the BJP, sees the saffron party pinning its hopes on State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar. While sitting MLA and Minister V. Sivankutty is defending the seat for the LDF, reports suggest that health issues have severely hampered his campaign trail. Allegations have surfaced that the party pressured Sivankutty into the race despite his frequent hospitalizations over the past few years. Seizing the opportunity, the UDF has fielded youth icon K.S. Sabarinadhan, whose secular image and energetic grassroots presence have galvanized the Congress cadre, posing a formidable challenge to both the BJP and the incumbent.
Vattiyoorkavu: Corruption Allegations Cloud V.K. Prasanth’s Prospects
In Vattiyoorkavu, the narrative is dominated by the “Kannadipalam” (Glass Bridge) corruption scandal, which has significantly dented the “Mayor Bro” image of sitting MLA V.K. Prasanth. Public sentiment appears to be tilting away from the LDF due to these integrity issues. This has cleared the stage for a massive showdown between Congress powerhouse K. Muraleedharan and the BJP’s star candidate, former DGP R. Sreelekha. Political analysts predict that a consolidation of secular votes will likely ensure a decisive victory for K. Muraleedharan.
