LS polls: Triangular battle in Thrissur

THRISSUR: Thrissur will witness a triangular battle in the Lok Sabha election as the candidates entered the fray unofficially before the official announcement. All three fronts are in tandem on social media and graffiti in a field that is garnering national attention.

As it was almost certain that VS Sunilkumar of CPI would be the candidate from LDF, the ranks intensified their campaign. Sunilkumar is present in almost all public functions. UDF workers are working like a well-oiled machine for sitting MP TN Prathapan. Stating that it is not an election campaign, Prathapan is conducting a tour through the villages of the constituency. Suresh Gopi, confirmed as the BJP candidate, has been active in Thrissur for months. He will reach the constituency the next day.

Graffiti is done by drawing the name and symbol of the front and leaving out the candidate's name. As soon as the candidate is announced, Thrissur will enter the heat of the election campaign. Popularity of candidates, development activities of central and state governments and Thrissur Pooram controversies will be the main topics of discussion in the constituency. The position of Christians, backward classes and NSS will also be crucial.

Plus and minuses

Sunil Kumar, who is contesting for the Lok Sabha for the first time, has made it to the assembly from the district thrice. He performed well as Agriculture Minister in the last LDF Cabinet. The Left Front believes that the support, popularity and personal connections of the backward classes will help him. But the infighting in the party units in the district is causing concern in the party.

Two-time MLA and currently MP, Prathapan is also a popular face. He has the flexibility to embrace all groups. Although Prathapan's unofficial campaign is based on the developments, there is an assessment that the undercurrents in the party will oppose it. The Congress will also have to take into account the increase in the votes of the BJP in the Thrissur assembly constituency in the last Lok Sabha elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Thrissur twice in two weeks attracted national attention. He finally reached Guruvayur to attend the wedding of Suresh Gopi's daughter. Suresh Gopi is contesting for Lok Sabha for the second time. He also contested for the Legislative Assembly last time. The votes received beyond the evaluations are in his favour. The left and right think that celebrity influence cannot increase votes. BJP is campaigning to make him Union Minister if he wins.