NDA writes history in Left Fort in Kollam; BJP opens account in Kadakkal, UDF leading

KOLLAM: As the first phase of local body elections results are coming, some unexpected incidents are seen in Kollam. The NDA has opened its account in a ward in Kadakkal panchayat, known as the Left stronghold of Kollam. The BJP candidate in Vadakkevayal ward in Kadakkal, Anupama, won by 40 votes. However, the UDF is leading in 11 seats in the Kollam Corporation. The LDF is leading only in four seats. The UDF is leading in ten seats in the Kollam district panchayat.

The recent mass resignation of CPI members in Kadakkal is also a blow to the LDF. The unexpected incident in Minister J Chinchu Rani’s Chadayamandalam constituency created an opportunity for the NDA and the UDF to increase their lead. The singing of a revolutionary song and the display of the DYFI flag on the screen at a festival organized at the Kadakkal Devi Temple had led to the expulsion of the temple advisory committee comprising CPM leaders and this had sparked a controversy. This created anti-party sentiments in Kadakkal.

Kadakkal was a panchayat that had always stood with the Left. Last time, the LDF won the panchayat by winning 19 out of 19 seats. The LDF was confident that it would retain power by winning 20 seats this time, including the newly formed Swami Mukku. The LDF faced the elections this time with new faces and experienced people, including employment-guaranteed workers, Kudumbashree activists, Haritha Karma Sena members, auto-rickshaw workers, retired teachers, and those leading labor movements. Yet, the expected results from Kadakkal are not what we expected. Although there was a belief that the state government's development activities and the achievements of the three-tier panchayats would strengthen the LDF, the expected results are not coming out.