THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the election campaigning getting heated up, the fronts are preparing weapons and strategies for new attacks and counter-attacks. While the double vote controversy in the voters' list has become a new weapon for the UDF, the LDF is clinging to the resignation of leaders from Congress. Meanwhile, the LDF found itself on the defensive after the
statements made by Swapna and Sarith, the accused in the gold smuggling case against Speaker P. Sriramakrishnan, came out yesterday.

Soon after the nomination papers of its three candidates were rejected by the Election Commission, the BJP received another blow when senior leader O Rajagopal commented about the party's poor performance in Kerala. According to Rajagopal, the party is not growing fast in Kerala because of the state's high literacy rate.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, who had accused a number of CPM-affiliated officials of rigging the polls, has gained confidence after the Election Commission confirmed that there are double votes in most districts. However, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hit back at Chennithala by saying that the opposition leader was actually levelling charges against the multiple entries in the voters' list made by his own party workers.

The Congress on Tuesday received another shock when former KPCC general secretary PM Suresh Babu announced his resignation from the party. Suresh Babu, who said that there is no one to lead the Congress at the national level, is apparently heading towards the LDF.

The UDF was relieved to resolve the dispute regarding the Elathur seat. MK Raghavan MP, who was upset over the allocation of the seat to the NCK, held discussions with district leaders and later agreed to work for Sulfikar Mayoori subject to conditions.

Meanwhile, former Oommen Chandy on Tuesday challenged the Chief Minister to prove the allegation that there was a secret understanding between the Congress and the BJP. Chandy also alleged that the LDF had come to a secret understanding with BJP in order to ensure the continuance of rule for Pinarayi Vijayan in return for 7 seats for BJP.

The BJP leadership is considering alternatives in Thalassery, Guruvayur and Devikulam constituencies where it has no candidates. Former CPM leader COT Nazir, who has formed his own party and is contesting, announced that he does not want the BJP's support. The remaining independent candidate in Thalassery is MP Aravindakshan. The NDA is considering supporting Dilip Nair of the Democratic Social Justice Party in Guruvayur.