Election campaigning in Kerala ends on a violent note

Kottayam (Kerala), Apr 15 (ANI): Skirmishes of political rivalry between supporters of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) marked the end of electioneering at Kottayam in Kerala on Tuesday.

Narayanan Namboothiri, a candidate of the BJP, was injured in a stone-pelting incident after his party workers clashed with CPI (M) workers at a formal function.

Trouble broke out after supporters of rival fronts came out in large numbers with party flags and began shouting slogans to impress the voters.

The police had to baton charge to disperse the agitated crowd.

A few vehicles were attacked by the violent crowd, breaking the wind shields and window panes.

Kerala goes to the polls on Thursday for the 20 Lok Sabha seats contested by 217 candidates.

The main battle in the State is between the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the ruling CPI (M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF).

Ahead of the elections, heated exchanges between political parties have almost touched the top gear, particularly in the course of canvassing and at election rallies.

The main battle in the ensuing elections will be between the Congress party-led UPA and the BJP-led NDA.

The communists and other regional parties have joined hands to set up a separate bloc named the Third Front to take on the two national coalitions. (ANI)