Kerala expected to see neck-and-neck fight in Assembly polls

Thiruvananthapuram, March 6: A neck-and-neck race is expected in the Kerala Assembly elections slated for May 16 as the outcome is crucial for the ruling Congress-led UDF, CPI-M-led LDF and also BJP.

For the ruling United Democratic Front, it is not only a battle for retaining power in the state but a success would also present an opportunity for the Congress to stage a sort of comeback at the national level after its humiliating loss in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

On the other hand, a drubbing in the polls for the Left Democratic Front would spell disaster for it especially at a time when Left is trying hard for a comeback in West Bengal, once a stronghold of the Communists.

The two fronts, ruling the state alternately, will have to factor in the challenge posed by BJP which had put up a better showing in recent civic elections in the state.

BJP, which has failed so far to break the bi-polar politics of UDF and LDF, has this time found a political ally in the Bharath Dharam Jana Sena.

The BDJS is a new party formed by Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, a powerful organisation of backward Ezhava community, led by its General Secretary Vellappally Natesan.

How far the BJP could make inroads into the traditional vote banks of both the Front is being keenly watched by political observers in the state, where the saffron party has so far been unable to win a seat in Assembly or Lok Sabha elections.

UDF, which came to power in 2011 on the slogan of 'development and care', wants to script a new history in the state with a verdict in its favour for 'continuation' of the government.

PTI