KOCHI: The major political parties in Kerala have decided to adopt a ‘go-slow’ mode in the first leg of the 72-day-long marathon campaign for the Assembly elections. The reason is simple: to control initial expenses and preserve the poll spirit of party workers. All the leading fronts know that entering the fast track in the initial phase would affect the budget of candidates and vigour of workers.
The Assembly elections are scheduled for May 16, which is almost two months away. Leaders of political parties, who were expecting the polls in April, were forced to change their strategies after the date was announced. The Congress, the main constituent of the UDF, has already been delaying initial preparations, including finalisation of candidates. The party will send the list of probable candidates to the High Command after the candidate selection committee meeting of the KPCC on March 16.
The Election Commission has stipulated that the maximum election expense of candidates in the Assembly elections should be Rs 28 lakh each.
The CPI(M) state committee will meet on Sunday at which the list of probable candidates will be analysed. Though a constituent of the UDF, the IUML has already declared its candidates, the next procedures will be completed only by April.
The NDA will start its campaign after the candidates' list is out in 10 days. The talks between BJP and BDJS on seat sharing would be held on March 15.