All three fronts hope high in Sabari turf
The constituency is of prime importance for the state\'s Left government as the victory reflects the approach of voters towards its stand on the issue.
Pathanamthitta : Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency that witnessed an intense triangular fight saw huge poll turnout which is apparently a reflection of what followed the Supreme Court lifting the age bar at Sabarimala hill shrine.
The constituency is of prime importance for the state's Left government as the victory reflects the approach of voters towards its stand on the issue.The people of Pathanamthitta made a beeline to the polling stations marking a record polling of 74.19 per cent against 66.02 per cent in 2014, which is an increase of whopping 8 per cent. The Kanjirappally assembly segment recorded the highest polling of over 78 per cent and Ranni the lowest, 70.59 per cent.
A total of 1020964 out of 1378587 voters in the constituency have cast their votes.
The BJP that propagated the "conservation of belief" as the major issue in the elections believes the surge would help their candidate K. Surendran to win.
The LDF says it would wrest the seat from the UDF and it would be an answer to the Hindutva forces trying to cash in on the Sabarimala issue.
The CPM that projected the flood relief and developmental activities of its government also feels its candidate Veena George will win by a significant majority.
The UDF with its sitting MP Anto Antony finds the increase in poll percentage to be the consolidation of minority votes against the BJP, especially in Kanjirappally, Poonjar, Adoor and Konni assembly segments.
The Congress party also assumes LDF supporters would cross-vote to defeat the BJP.