Kerala polls: UDF, LDF target BJP-led NDA third front in the state

Thiruvananthapuram: With electioneering for the 16 May Assembly polls in Kerala picking up team, emergence of the BJP-led NDA third front has become the main campaign plank of the ruling UDF and its rival LDF with both targeting it and as as a result relegating to the background, the solar and bar bribery scams. The bipolar politics of Congress-led UDF and CPI-M headed LDF that dominated state’s electoral arena for the past several decades seems to have received a beating with the third Front of BJP-led NDA becoming a reality this time. With only a fortnight left for the polls, both UDF and LDF are fiercely attacking the BJP led-NDA alliance with slogan of ‘BJP free Kerala Assembly’ as their main agenda. UDF that focused its electioneering in the initial stages on ‘development initiatives’ of the government to retain power has lately shifted its campaign gear by targeting BJP. Similarly LDF, which attacked UDF over corruption charges, especially relating to solar, bar bribery scams and land assignment row, seems to have now sidelined these issues to some extent. [caption id=“attachment_2763878” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  A file photo of Oommen Chandy. PTI[/caption] However, the exception is 93-year CPI-M veteran V S Achuthanandan who is continuing his tirade against Chief Minister Oommen Chandy over corruption allegations connected with bar and solar scams. Launching a fierce attack on BJP, CWC member and former Defence Minister A K Antony set the tone with his statement that Congress party’s main agenda is to ensure that BJP does not open its account in the state in the assembly polls. Antony also claimed that there would be a communal divide in the state if BJP wins seats in the polls. CPI-M politburo member Prakash Karat welcomed Antony’s remark but said Congress “has no resources neither politically or ideologically to take on the BJP and in Kerala, it is only LDF that can challenge the saffron party.” Both Congress and CPI-M leaders also asserted that BJP would not win a single seat this time also despite the campaign hype the saffron party is trying to create by lining up its top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi to canvass for NDA candidates. “Attacking BJP is part of UDF and LDF strategy to lure the minority votes,” a political observer claimed, adding, “accusation by each Fronts of having links with BJP is also part of that strategy.”

BJP, in turn, has countered UDF and LDF by raking up the ties between Congress and CPI-M in West Bengal. BJP leaders also feel that UDF and LDF’s attack on them is with an eye on minority votes and it would only result in polarisation of majority votes in their favour. BJP this time has forged an alliance with Bharat Dharma Jana Sena, a new party formed by Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, a social organisation of the backward Ezhava community. The saffron party has also roped in Janathipathya Rashtriya Sabha, led by well-known tribal leader C K Janu, who is contesting as NDA candidate in Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad district. Slamming Antony for his remark against BJP, party state President Kummanom Rajasekharan said “Antony is trying to divide the society on communal lines.” “Antony’s attempt is to create communal tension in the state by provoking religious communities,” Rajasekharan said adding he would approach Election Commission against the former defence minister’s statement. On the other hand, Chief Minister Chandy, KPCC President V M Sudheeran and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, have alleged a secret tie-up between CPI-M and BJP. CPI-M State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and Party politburo member Pinarayi Vijyan have countered this, alleging that there is an understanding between Congress and BJP for the polls. In the UDF, Congress is contesting in 87 seats, while its second largest partner Indian Union Muslim League 24, Kerala Congress (M) 15, RSP five, JD (U) seven and CMP and KC-J one each. CPI-M, the lead partner in LDF, is contesting in 92 seats while CPI in 27, JD (S) in five, NCP four, Congress (S) 1 and its associates Democratic Kerala Congress four, INL three, and CMP, KC-B, RSP (L), KC-Sacria Thomas one each. In the NDA, BJP is contesting in 97 seats while second largest partner BDJS in 37 and Kerala Congress (P C Thomas faction) four, and JSS (Rajan Babu) and Janathipathya Rashtra Sabha one each. A total of 1203 candidates are in the fray this time, while 971 candidates had contested the 2011 assembly polls.