All MLAs in the state are in a hectic situation now. Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, ‘to be or not to be,’ perhaps no other expression could aptly define the uncertainty faced by party leaderships in Kerala right now. They never expected that the poll panel would issue notification for by-polls in just 5 months away for the next assembly polls.

Poll expense remains the same for 1 year or for 5 months. As the Covid-19 pandemic is ongoing, it is difficult for parties to raise money for the poll expense and after five months again money should be collected for next assembly elections. This amount should be also given back. Thus political parties are staring at a dead end now. Some are saying that poll panel could have cancelled the polls, citing the example of Chavara constituency when A K Anthony was elected to Rajya Sabha while holding MLA position. The seat was left vacant for a year.

The ruling front is also under pressure because one after another controversies are blocking even the good things done by the govt from the eyes of the people. Sprinklr, Gold smuggling case, PSC aspirant’s suicide, Venjaramoodu murder case, secretariat blaze, chief minister’s signature controversy, the list is endless…

Even though this situation offers hope to UDF, they fear that if Vijayan Pillai’s son is made the candidate, then it could favour LDF as the left front could reap votes in the sympathy wave. Therefore UDF’s strategy is to further fuel up the controversies.

BJP camp is also under trouble as they had a history of transferring their votes to either LDF or UDF in discreet, especially in Chavara constituency. But today the party’s central leadership is strong and they are actively looking to gain a foot hold in Kerala, therefore, the central leadership expects nothing other than victory in by-polls. So, the state leadership should at least double the votes, that they had secured last time.