KOTTAYAM: Pala has emerged as one of the most unpredictable constituencies in Kerala this time. As announcement vehicles of various candidates crisscross the length and breadth of the constituency, voters have maintained an unusual suspense over their choice.
What makes this election particularly unpredictable is NDA candidate Shone George’s blitz. With every passing day, there is rising curiosity over the extent to which he would disrupt Pala’s traditional voting pattern, which has largely been vertically split between the UDF and the LDF.
Taking on LDF’s Jose K Mani of Kerala Congress (M) and UDF’s sitting MLA Mani C Kappan of Kerala Democratic Party, Shone made a big-bang start to his campaign with a massive rally in Pala town.
The NDA has also unleashed a visual barrage across the constituency, with thousands of posters, flex boards, and wall writings dominating the landscape.
A fleet of vehicles, including two-wheelers, accompanies the candidate’s campaign trail. Such show of strength, insiders say, has sent ripples of concern through rival camps.
However, all three fronts know that the visible energy need not translate into votes. The LDF believes that the UDF and the NDA have stronger influence in the eastern grama panchayats such as Thalanad, Thalappalam, Moonnilavu, Melukavu and Kadanad. A split in votes there could actually work to its advantage.
The NDA is betting big on attracting Christian voters through Shone. The UDF, meanwhile, is banking on Kappan’s popularity in the area.
“The BJP candidate will siphon off UDF votes. Our votes will remain intact. There is also a strong anti-incumbency factor against the sitting MLA,” said LDF district convener Lopez Mathew.
Satheesh Chollani, UDF chairman of the Pala constituency, countered that “the NDA’s presence will be felt more by the LDF”.
Shone, meanwhile, dismissed talks of vote blocs. He asserted that “voters are being influenced by Modi’s guarantee”.
Notably, the campaign in Pala is focused on development. The UDF claims Kappan has brought “development worth `244 crore to the constituency”.
The LDF counters that Pala has regressed under his tenure. The NDA, meanwhile, is urging voters to align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “vision of development-driven politics”.