KOCHI: The Twenty20 influence on the electoral battle for the Chalakudy Lok Sabha seat — a UDF citadel — had already grabbed attention. Now, a dip in the turnout in six assembly segments and the high polling in Kunnathunadu, where the Kitex-backed outfit has a strong presence, has left both UDF and LDF concerned.
According to the Election Commission’s latest figures, Chalakudy registered a polling of 71.84%, around 9 percentage points lower than the 2019 figure of 80.4%. Interestingly, Kunnathunad registered the highest turnout, at 78.11%. The votes polled by Twenty20, which is trying its luck for the first time in the parliamentary polls, is now a huge point of discussion in the constituency. In the 2021 assembly polls, Twenty20 received 42,701 votes (27.56%) in Kunnathunad, which led to the defeat of the Congress candidate.
As of now, Twenty20 controls four local bodies, Kizhakkambalam, Mazhuvannoor, Kunnathunad and Aikaranad, all under the Kunnathunad assembly segment. It also won for the first time two divisions -- Kolenchery and Vengola -- of Ernakulam district panchayat.
While the UDF camp remains confident of victory, LDF is counting on the votes Twenty20 gains from UDF pockets. Twenty20 Chalakudy candidate Charly Paul expressed confidence of victory, pointing out that people’s anger against the shutdown of the food security market run by Twenty20 in Kizhakkambalam has reflected in the increase in polling in Kunnathunad.
He also said three lakh people have become members of the party through their digital membership drive in the segment. “We expect 80,000 to 1 lakh votes from Kunnathunad,” he said.
Twenty20 will get the votes of both UDF and LDF, Charly said. “It is learnt a section of BJP workers also voted in our favour this time. After Kunnathunad, we will get a good number of votes from Perumbavoor, Angamaly and Aluva too,” he said. At the same time, the other fronts have also exuded confidence of victory. UDF believes the Twenty20 votes will not affect its traditional vote bank in Kunnathunad.
However, LDF expects victory with a slim margin of 20,000 to 25,000 votes. LDF Ernakulam district convener George Edapparathy said C Raveendranath will wrest the Chalakudy seat for the front.