THRISSUR: The campaign in Chelakkara is in its final stage, and the fronts are busy preparing moves to influence the Christian votes. There are about ten thousand Christian votes in the constituency. All three fronts are actively participating in family gatherings mostly eyeing the minority votes. CPM, Congress and BJP are busy scheduling meetings with Christian priests in the region.
K. Radhakrishnan won the last assembly election with a majority of 39,400 votes. However, in the last Lok Sabha elections, Radhakrishnan's majority in the Chelakkara constituency was reduced to around five thousand. This has raised hope within the UDF camp.
Meanwhile, there is also reason for glee in the BJP camp minding the humungous Christian votes Suresh Gopi got from Chelakkara in the last Lok Sabha elections. Union Minister Suresh Gopi is leaving no stone unturned and is busy these days setting up meetings with revered Christian leaders in Chelakkara. The aim is to rope in the decisive votes to the saffron camp.
The UDF leadership is confident that the Christian community will not lean to the saffron camp. Most of the Christians here are domiciles. Frontrunners also promise reservations to woo other caste sections in the constituency.
Religious leaders in the region are not ready to publically endorse any particular candidate but their sly criticism of certain parties serves as a cue to followers on who to trust. Congress and BJP are trying hard to bring up anti-incumbency sentiments in the region while CPM is sure about yet another win in their bastion.
The Christian vote