THRISSUR: With VS Sunilkumar of the left front, Suresh Gopi of the NDA and the UDF candidate K Muralidharan locking horns, the stage is set for a strong three-cornered contest in Thrissur.

Congress fielded Muralidharan to overcome the situation of being on the defensive after K Karunakaran's daughter Padmaja joined the BJP. Congress believes that this can be done through the relationship Muralidharan has with religious leaders, including Christians. Through this, the Congress may be able to counter the BJP's strategy to win Congress votes, including those of women, through Padmaja. It is certain that Padmaja will go on the campaign trail. Congress feels that only Muralidharan can fight this.

LDF claims that the Congress is the party that is only after power and that it is the real alternative against communalism is the left front. BJP promises that if Suresh Gopi wins, he will become the Union Minister and bring development revolution in Thrissur.

K Muralidharan

Positives

• Followers are active
• Groupism will not affect much
• Consideration as Leader's son
• Knows the pulse of Thrissur
• Can get more minority votes
• Can get more general community vote
• A learned leader who knows how politics work

Negatives

• There was no time for adequate preparation
• Not active in Thrissur for some time
• Padmaja leaving the party may affect him
• Opponents are also strong

VS Sunilkumar

Positives

• Excellent work as Agriculture Minister
• Popular and active in grassroots intervention
• Three time MLA

Negatives

• Some issues at the party
• Opponents are also strong

Suresh Gopi

Positives

• Very active in Thrissur
• Helped many people
• Modi's arrival twice
• Padmaja's entry into BJP

Negatives

• Muralidharan's surprise candidature
• Incidents like the Crown Controversy