THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP's attempt to use the arrest of PC George, for communal hate speech, as a weapon for political exploitation in the Hindu and Christian areas has intensified the triangular battle in Thrikkakara in the last days of the campaign. The move by the LDF and the UDF is to overcome this strategically.

Anti-Muslim propaganda has been going on in the Christian sections for some time, both covertly and openly. The BJP believes that George will pave the way for influence in the Christian sector. However, the CPM is trying to prevent this by equating the arrest of two Popular Front leaders in Alappuzha for a child chanting communal hate slogans with George's arrest. The CPM also recalls the Sangh Parivar attacks on Christians in various parts of the country last Christmas.

At the same time, the UDF alleges that the Left government's attitude of appeasing majority and minority communalism is the reason for hate propaganda in Kerala. George and the Popular Front are equally rejected by them.

It remains to be seen how the tainted new political climate will be reflected in Thrikkakara, a place where Hindu, Christian and Muslim voters are crucial alike. Although the by-election campaign woke up with development as the main agenda, many other agendas dominated. The complaint of the attacked actress, the obscene video campaign against the Left candidate and the reaction of his wife against it are fueling the final stage of the Thrikkakara battle.