LDF cautious about outcome
Unlike the UDF which is claiming a sweep, the Left is more cautious in its reaction.
Thiruvananthapuram: The LDF leadership is showing some caution in interpreting the record voter turnout in the Lok Sabha polls in the state.
Unlike the UDF which is claiming a sweep, the Left is more cautious in its reaction. The opinion is divided in the Left camp. While some leaders in the Left camp are confident of securing an upper hand, others believe that the score could be 50:50.
LDF convenor A.Vijayaraghavan said there was an attempt by UDF to polarise the people on communal and caste lines. The Congress tried for minority consolidation on the one hand and majority consolidation on the other raking up emotive issues like Sabarimala, customs and beliefs. In the last leg of polls, all political issues and general issues made way for emotional issues," he said.
The Left believes that by trying to polarise the caste Hindus, the UDF in fact attempted to move closer to the Hindu communal outfits. The UDF leaders, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah campaigned in Kerala on almost identical issues like Sabarimala, protection of belief, tradition, temples and customs.
The Left leaders claimed that there was a large turnout of lower strata of society and backward sections in their favour. Those opposed to caste and religious supremacy stood with the LDF. Despite unleashing communal campaign, the Left camp believes that the BJP might not open its account in the state.
According to another assessment within the Left, the ruling front is sure to win four seats; Kozhikode, Alappuzha, Palakkad, Attingal. The probability of Left winning Alathur and Pathanamthitta is also much higher.
The Left calculation is that K.Surendran might get 25 per cent votes. So far as Kollam is concerned, the Left believes that if BJP manages to poll 1 lakh of its 1.5 lakh votes then the LDF candidate stands a good chance of victory.The UDF is sure to win Malappuram, Ponnani and Wayanad. In the rest of the constituencies it could be 50:50.
The Left leaders admitted that the ruling front had lost support of a sizable section of upper caste Hindu votes . "The Dalits have definitely stood with us. Among backward sections let's wait and see how much they stick to us," a senior Left leader said.
The Left leaders said the respect for CPM among the Muslim community had grown considerably. This respect is because of CPM stand to take the BJP-RSS head on in the state.
However, the Muslim votes are likely to split. There is a feeling among a big section of Muslims that Congress should emerge as a strong party to take on Modi in Lok Sabha. This logic has influenced a big section of Muslims.