THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The confusion and ruckus over the selection of candidates that occurred within the political fronts have been almost settled. With the candidates getting ready for the polls, the stage is set for the election heat. With just seventeen days to go for the polls, the next two weeks will be a time of intense campaigning for the fronts. In the coming days, the national leaders and glamorous stars of various parties will come to intensify the election campaign.

As the submission of the nomination papers came to an end on Friday, the UDF and the NDA are facing the threats of rebel candidates. As far as the LDF is concerned, things appear calm on the outside. A clear picture regarding the threat posed by rebels will be obtained after March 22, the last day for withdrawal of nomination papers.

The UDF hopes that peace will prevail in Irikkur, albeit belatedly, as Oommen Chandy has come forward to quell the Group A riots against the Congress candidate in Irikkur. The CPM was forced to take back the Kuttiady seat, which was initially handed over to the Kerala Congress (M), after witnessing protests among workers in Kuttiady.

There are enough weapons in the arsenal of the three fronts to arm themselves. The fronts reckon that the new issues and controversies that arise during the intensification of the campaign will bring unexpected opportunities.

Threat of rebels

• Harippad Youth Congress leader against Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala
• Congress leader against Nationalist Congress Kerala candidate in Elathur.
• Lathika Subhash as independent candidate against Kerala Congress (Joseph) candidate in Ettumanoor
• BDJS and BJP candidates contesting in Ettumanoor as well as Poonjar.

Sabarimala issue, voter list irregularities

The opposition has taken up the Sabarimala issue as its main agenda. It was Minister Kadakampally Surendran who stirred a fresh controversy by expressing regret over the incidents that took place in connection with the Sabarimala women entry issue. Yechury's unexpected stance put the LDF on the defensive. Sabarimala is also the main weapon of the BJP. The NSS also came out
against the government.

Other weapons include voter list irregularities, vote-rigging and the BJP leaders themselves acknowledging the Congress-League-BJP connection. Both UDF and LDF are eyeing the minority vote bank by accusing each other of establishing a secret connection with the BJP. At the same time, the LDF is making strenuous efforts to ensure the continuance of rule by highlighting development
and welfare measures.