Thiruvananthapuram is witnessing a clash of two titans and a novice hoping to upset the calculations of both, amid strong community undercurrents. It’s perhaps the only segment where BJP can pin its hopes on making it big at the hustings. And, community equations have always played a definite role in determining the outcome of general elections here. The stakes are high this time, generating curiosity beyond the state’s contours.
With UDF candidate and Union Minister Shashi Tharoor in the fray to retain his seat in LS; the Left banking on the Nadar community base of CPI candidate Dr Bennet Abraham and the BJP fielding its priced veteran O Rajagopal, the poll scene will witness a blistering three-cornered fight. The smaller parties, including the AAP, are also in the fray. Tharoor almost had a free run in the 2009 polls, while facing only little opposition at the hustings, he won by a huge majority. However, it is poised to be a different ball game for him this time, even as the Congress high command and the state leadership are throwing their weight behind him.
A Death Still ‘Alive’
Following the controversy over the ‘mysterious’ death of Shashi Tharoor’s wife Sunanda Pushakar a couple of months ago, many felt that he may opt out of the fray this time. The Opposition is leaving no stone unturned to derive political mileage out of the issue on the campaign front, too. But the former UN diplomat proved to be a hard nut and decided to test the poll waters again.
“My work is my message,” said Tharoor. “The mudslinging against me will only backfire for the Opposition. The people will eventually realise the truth behind the smear campaign. I’m fully confident that I can overcome it and people will stand by me,” said Tharoor, taking time off his campaign that began on the premises of the Kolathukara Siva temple at Kulathoor on Thursday morning. “As an MP, I have initiated several projects in the constituency, including the development of Karamana-Kaliyikkavila NH stretch, Kazhakoottam-Karode bypass and Central railway station and the setting up of the regional offices of AICTE and CBSE. The MP fund was utilised efficiently in the constituency,” Tharoor said. He has been laying thrust on the development plank in his campaign trail.
‘Son of the Soil’
LDF candidate Dr Bennet Abraham describes himself as the ‘son of the soil’. He had nothing to do with active politics until the CPI fielded him as a candidate, on the direction of Big-B CPM, to cash in on the 3 lakh-odd Nadar votes. The CPI even went to the extent of anointing him as its own candidate rather than fielding him as an Independent, thereby allotting the party symbol to contest. Though, he has been launched as a master stroke by the Left Front, the controversies he had courted as the director of a self-financing medical college at Karakonam are haunting him on the campaign front, and has disconcerted certain quarters within the LDF camp. “I’m overwhelmed by the response of the people. I never expected it when I got into the poll fray,” Bennet said. Asked of the criticism aired against him, he retorted valiantly:”It is the handiwork of some disgruntled elements. I’m only an employee of the medical college. My life is an open book”. He also peppers his speeches with a description of his modest beginnings in life, as the son of an illiterate farmer.
Bennet expresses his amusement on the claims made by Tharoor on the development front in the constituency. “I don’t want to belittle him. As an MP, people expected a lot more from him. For instance, the rush experienced on the 33-km stretch from the capital to Parassala could have eased in a big way had the declared yards in the two spots were developed and more train services were run. Also, where is the High Court Bench he had promised last time?”, he asked.
On a Goodwill Mission
As on every other occasion when he contested an election from Thiruvananthapuram, BJP’s O Rajagopal will be banking on his goodwill and ‘pro-development and clean politician’ image to see him through.
Both his competitors, Tharoor and Bennet, have their respective weak spots to shield, which shoots up Rajagopal’s chances this time, according to BJP. “There is a clear negative sentiment against both of them. This time, the atmosphere is quite favourable to the BJP here,’’ Rajagopal said. The BJP expects that Bennet Abraham, and to a lesser extent AAP’s Ajith Joy, will steal the votes that would otherwise flow to Tharoor. “There is no UDF or LDF at the Centre. The issues are entirely different. In the last Lok Sabha elections, the UDF capitalised on the ‘prince charming, UN diplomat’ image of Tharoor. Things have changed since,” Rajagopal said.
Key Issues in the Poll Front
‘Development’ is the magic mantra whenever Thiruvananthapuram goes to the polling booths. Topping this list is the Vizhinjam seaport, a multi-crore project that has been on the cards for decades. This is closely followed by the demand for an HC Bench. The long-delayed widening of the Karamana-Kalayikkavila stretch of the National Highway and the vexatious garbage problem in the city areas are among the other poll planks.
Decisive Undercurrents
Politics has taken a back seat in the constituency, as the widely talked about topic is polarisation and realignment of different votebanks. Rajagopal is expected to gain from the split in the Nair votes. Going by past record, Nadar votes, another crucial factor, is likely to consolidate to the benefit of Bennet Abraham.
Both the candidates are expected to gain, leaving Shashi Tharoor worse off. But the Latin Catholic community, another strong votebank, is seemingly pitching high for Tharoor.
The educated middle class might also tilt towards him. By and large, women voters in all segments and age groups, are also constitute a strong support base. A lion’s share of Muslim votes, accounting for 14 per cent of the 12.67 lakh electorate, is another votebank on which the UDF places its bets. There are 93,000 new voters in the electorate, which again, will be a divided pool.
Though, the AAP has not emerged as a big force, a few thousand votes is certain to fall in the kitty of its candidate Ajit Joy. Left United Front candidate M Shajar Khan, backed by RMP, and SDPI candidate Kunnil Shajahan are also expected to secure a piece of the vote pie. Together, the votes polled in favour of such candidates will be worth watching in this polls.