PM Modi expected to visit Kerala again; election campaigning enters second phase

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: New issues are getting raised, words are exchanged and the fight seems aggravated. This is a prelude to the reality that the election campaigning has entered into the second and crucial stage in Kerala. Candidates who were in queue visiting religious leaders and popular personalities have now shifted focus to the common man in society. In the upcoming schedules, star campaigners from each party will appear to request people to vote for their candidate in the elections.

In most constituencies, LDF candidates are touring for the fourth time. Apart from this, 60 meetings are held in 20 constituencies in which the Chief Minister participates. The Chief Minister's tour, which will start from the capital on the 30th, is scheduled to end in Kannur on the 22nd of next month. National leaders like Sitaram Yechury, D. Raja and Prakash Karat will also be in attendance for the campaign.

UDF has started campaigning slowly and is now charging ahead after completing election conventions. Rahul Gandhi will arrive as soon as the constituency-level conventions are over by next month. After filing the papers in Wayanad, he will start campaigning in the state. The move is to visit maximum localities in Wayanad within two rounds of campaigning.

Efforts are being made to bring Sonia and Priyanka Gandhi, Chief Ministers of other states, and other leaders with a cult following. BJP which declared its candidate in Wayanad is also ramping up the campaigning with K Surendran set to visit his new turf in the upcoming days.

BJP is eyeing double-digit seats from Kerala which includes Thiruvananthapuram, Attingal and Thrissur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi may visit the state two more times for campaigning. Apart from him, party national president JP Nadda, Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and many other leaders are expected to visit Kerala in the heat of election campaigning.