THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: All three fronts are trying to bag the community votes as the public campaigns for the polls to be held in the state on Friday will be ending tomorrow evening. In the meantime, religious organizations have come forward, indirectly indicating their support.

While the Jacobite Church has declared its indirect support for the LDF, the position of the Orthodox Church, with whom it has a church dispute, is to remain equidistant. This was interpreted as support for UDF. Jacobite Metropolitan Joseph Mar Gregorios informed that they will return the help of those who have helped them and are grateful to the Chief Minister who assured them to help them survive. However, Orthodox Church Secretary Biju Oommen is targeting the BJP, recalling the attacks on Christian churches in Manipur. Thomas J Netto, Archbishop of the Latin Archdiocese, who has accused the central government of freezing their accounts and foreign donations in connection with the Vizhinjam protest, blames the Kerala Police report for this. It is clear that the support is for the UDF. In Pathanamthitta, the Believers Eastern Church congregation has extended its support to Anil Antony.

Split in Samastha

The split in Samastha on whether to support the LDF or the UDF is evident. Samastha leader Umar Faizi Mukkam, who attacked the positions of the Muslim League leadership, expressed his strong support for the LDF. However, SYS Organizing Secretary Nasser Faizi came forward saying that the position of Samastha should be clarified by President Jifri Muthukoya Thangal.

Although not ready for a public response, the Muslim League leadership is worried that the rift in Samastha will backfire. Meanwhile, Modi's speech that Muslims will be given priority in sharing the country's wealth if the Congress comes back to power has become controversial. The opposition parties are accusing the remark of giving way to communal divisions. Congress, Trinamool and Left parties are planning to file a complaint with the Election Commission. Modi's controversial speech was in Rajasthan. The opposition has accused Modi of making the divisive remarks after fearing a backlash after the first phase of polling.