In a constituency that witnessed a triangular contest and undercurrents, including caste equations and cross-voting, had its share in the poll predictions, when the polling came to an end, it turned out that the role played by the ‘rain gods’ may well be a decisive factor in the poll outcome of Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency.
The unexpected summer showers that lashed the district in the evening has affected the polling in various parts of the constituency forcing the poll managers of the UDF, LDF and the BJP to re-do their calculations taking into account its impact on the poll prospects of the respective candidates.
Though the poll percentage of the Thiruvananthapuram constituency crossed the 68 per cent mark, according to preliminary estimates, unexpected showers resulted in low polling in various segments, particularly in the Thiruvananthapuram Assembly segment.
The political camps are making various assumptions on how it would reflect on the prospects of the candidates. However, the voters in the urban as well as rural areas of the constituency have shown keen interest in casting their votes in the forenoon.
The segments such as Kovalam, Parassala and Neyyatinkara witnessed long queues with voters turning out in good numbers braving the rain with umbrellas. In Vattiyoorkavu and Nemom segment too people were seen being led to the booths by party workers in the last one hour. The sunny weather prevailed up to 2 p.m. has led to the polling taking place at a snail’s pace in certain areas of the urban constituency of Thiruvananthapuram and Kazhakkoottam. At Kumarapuram Medical College Govt Higher Secondary School in the Kazhakkoottam Assembly segment no one was in the queue by 2.10 p.m. But at Sreekaryam Govt. High School in the same Assembly segment, urban middle class voters were seen coming with enthusiasm.
At booth no 55 here, 597 of the 1073 voters had cast their votes by 3 p.m. At booth no 57 here, 661 of the 1260 voters had cast their votes by 3 p.m. The presiding officer here told ‘Express’ that there was heavy turnout till then and they have not yet had their lunch.
At booth no 55, 55.21 percent of the 1096 voters cast their votes. At booth No. 56 here, 867 of the 1473 voters had cast their votes. By 3 p.m., 50 per cent of the voters cast their votes at THSS, Muttada in the four booths which forms part of the Vattiyoorkavu Assembly segment. At the St Johns UPS Anchamada, in the Vattiyoorkavu segment, voters’ queues could be seen by 3.30 p.m.
The voting on the coastal belt of Thiruvananthapuram constituency remained sensitive to a certain extent.
Two groups of LDF and UDF workers clashed near the Valiyathura St Antony Higher Secondary School. Six workers each from both sides were injured and have been admitted to the General Hospital.
However, women voters could be seen rushing to the booths here at the fag end of the scheduled closing time. Heavy security has been arranged here in view of the sensitive nature of the locality.
In Poonthura also strong security measures had been arranged to prevent any untoward incidents.