10 days left for Kerala elections: Popular issues go unaddressed, PM Modi to return on Sat

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Only eight days are left for the election campaigning. Yet, all three fronts are struggling to make their deals with the voters effective. It is noteworthy that the BJP is focusing on development instead of the Sabarimala gold loot. The Left and Right fronts have been into mudslinging for the last few days. Meanwhile, the NDA is trying its best to capitalise on this to focus the debate on development.

The word "development-oriented campaign" has become a bit of an old joke. The state election scene is revolving around challenges and accusations.

Considering the scorching heat, the election campaigning has been restricted to morning and evening. No popular issues have been discussed to any great extent so far. Not even the manifesto has reached the people. Another curiosity is how the debate between the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition will proceed. The SDPI support and the FCRA amendment controversy are also in the mainstream.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will return to Kerala on Saturday. He will attend meetings in Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts. Priyanka Gandhi will attend meetings in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam on the 2nd. Rahul Gandhi will return to Kerala on April 6th.