Kerala Assembly Elections: Pollsters agog over these five constituencies
KOCHI: Five constituencies in Ernakulam district are keenly watched in the poll outcome especially after the predictions in the exit polls. They are Tripunithura, Piravom, Kalamassery, Thrikkakara and Paravur. There is only marginal increase or decrease in polling percent in these constituencies compared to 2011. Hence pollsters keep fingers crossed on the outcome.
In the last Assembly elections in Tripunithura constituency, 76.25 percent votes were polled while in Piravom, 79.08 votes were polled and in Paravur, the polling percentage was 83.96. In Piravom by-election in 2012, the poling percentage was 86.38. In Thrikkakara in the last election 73.76 percent votes were polled while in Kalamassery 79.77 votes were polled. In this election, the polling percentage in Tripunithura is 77.07 while in Piravom it is 80.38 and in Paravur it is 83.49. In Thrikkakara it is 74.47 and in Kalamassery the polling percentage this time is 81.03.
In Tripunithura, winner in last election K. Babu polled 53.36 percentage of votes (69,886 votes) while his principal opponent C M DInesh Mani of LDF polled 41.31 percent (54,108 votes). Sabu Varghese of BJP polled 3.77 percent votes (4,942 votes).
In Paravur, winner V D Satheesan of UDF secured 51.78 percent votes (74,632 votes) while Pannyan Ravindran of LDF bagged 43.91 percent of votes (63,283 votes). E. S. Purushothaman of BJP bagged 2.73 percent (3,934 votes).
In Piravom, winner T M Jacob of UDF scored 47.53 percent (66,503 votes) while M. J. Jacob of LDF scored 47.41 percent (66,346). M. N. Madhu of BJP secured 3.03 percent (4,234 votes). In the by-election held on March 17, 2012, Anoop Jacob of UDF secured 52.29 percentage (82,756 votes) while M J Jacob of LDF secured 44.66 percent (70,686 votes). K. R. Rajagopal of BJP scored 2.04 percent votes (3,241 votes).
In Kalamassery, winner in last election V K Ibrahim Kunju scored 47.73 percent votes (62,843) while nearest rival K. Chandran Pillai of the LDF scored 41.81 percent votes (55,054 votes). BJP’s P. Krishnadas secured 6.41 percent (8438 votes).
In Thrikkakara, winner UDF’s Benny Behanan scored 55.88 percent (65,854 votes) while LDF’s M. E. Hassainar bagged 36.87 percent (43,448 votes). BJP’s N. Saji Kumar scored 5.04 percent (5935 votes).
Except in Thrikkakara, existing MLAs are contesting from UDF whereas in Thrikkakara P T Thomas contests after Benny Behanan was denied seat following controversy in Congress. Sitting MLAs and Ministers K Babu (Tripunithura) V K Ebrahim Kunju (Kalamassery) and Anoop Jacob (Piravom) are facing stiff challenge from LDF. In these constituencies and in Paravur where sitting MLA V D Satheesan contests, NDA is also making a strong bid.
