By-poll battle intensifies

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the backdrop of by-elections to two Assembly constituencies, the ruling and opposition parties are sharpening their horns, with several issues to be highlighted.

The suicide of Naveen Babu will be a key discussion in the election campaign. This will be the first election where the Democratic Movement of Kerala (DMK), the party formed by PV Anvar after falling out with the CPM, is contesting.

The UDF will target Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in their campaign. They will raise various issues such as the allegations levelled by PV Anvar against the Chief Minister's office, including political secretary P Sasi, and the SFIO probe against Veena Vijayan, the CM's daughter. Other issues will include the ADGP-RSS meeting, the controversy surrounding the Thrissur Pooram festival, and the alleged CPM-BJP ties. Key issues like the Karuvannur bank fraud and the ongoing ED investigations will also be highlighted in Chelakkara.

CPM will try to counter the main allegations of the opposition by fielding Dr P Sarin, a candidate who came from Congress. With the support of Sarin, CPM has already raised the allegation that the UDF had struck a deal with the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year. It remains to be seen which front's votes will be siphoned off to Anvar's party, which has candidates in both constituencies.

The BJP's campaign will focus primarily on development issues. They will highlight the Palakkad Industrial Smart Project, which is a key part of the Kochi-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor announced by the central government. Their main focus will be on fielding a strong candidate to win the Palakkad seat.