VS Achuthanandan, Rajagopal to impact outcome

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The LDF’s decision to exclude Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan from the campaign convention and the BJP fielding veteran leader O Rajagopal are two developments that could impact the poll outcome in Aruvikkara significantly.

Achuthanandan’s omission has already triggered a huge controversy with the CPM leadership now in damage control mode. Sources close to the veteran leader said that he was upset with the decision and could even keep off from the campaign completely.

“It is a misinformation campaign by the media,” said state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. “The central leadership has no role in finalizing speakers for local meetings,” reacted CPM politburo member S. Ramachandran Pillai.

Notwithstanding their clarification, it is no secret that the CPM leadership had deliberately excluded Achuthanandan to avoid the embarrassment of handing over the baton to a leader against whom the state secretariat had passed two resolutions, terming him “anti party”.  Caught in the crossfire, LDF Candidate M Vijayakumar is still hopeful of Achuthanandan leading the campaign.

Many in the left camp believe that the CPM is in fact testing the “VS effect”. If it manages to win the by-election without Achuthanandan, it will have completely neutralised the veteran ahead of crucial Assembly polls. But the risk involved is no less.

A big loss could seal Pinaryi Vijayan’s fate. Meanwhile, political observers say the BJP’s decision to field Rajagopal could be a game changer.  In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls,  BJP’s S Girijakumari secured 14,890 votes in Aruvikkara segment, about 12 per cent of the total votes polled.

BJP believes Rajagopal can add up to this tally to reach near the victory margin. Furthermore, over 300 CPM workers led by Girijakumari and her husband S Krishnan Kumar who was CPM local committee secretary for over two decades, crossed over to the BJP a year ago. They have close connections with party sympathisers.

The LDF camp is wary of Rajagopal since his presence could polarise votes on religious lines. Observers say if upper caste Hindus rally behind him, the minorities could go with the UDF.