Erosion likely in UDF votes

The LDF whipped up a major campaign against Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s ‘feeble’ attack on the BJP-SNDP tie-up, especially in times of the pervasive hate and intolerance across the country.

Senior Congress leader A K Antony used strong language against the Modi regime but Left leaders kept sniping at Mr Chandy for his softness. Mr Chandy, however, did not give into the LDF taunt and refused to antagonize the SNDP beyond a point.

The LDF had a clear edge in this campaign but CPM’s determination to field murder accused Karayi twins came a savage reminder of the assassination of the rebel leader, T P Chandrasekharan, and politburo member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan march to the Viyyur central jail to enquire after the welfare of the assassins.

Whatever advantage the LDF got by “exposing” Mr Chandy on the BJP-SNDP dalliance was lost in the CPM’s pursuit of the politics of violence, says political analyst K Venu.

He also felt that the Opposition’s targeting of Mr Chandy created the opposite effect on unattached voters, who do not associate him with personal corruption.

While the LDF would feel vindicated by the interim bargate verdict, there is a section that feels the judge jumped the gun. His virtual indictment of the unblemished Vigilance director, Mr Vinson M Paul, also left the average non-party voter confused.

Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan led a high-profile campaign and politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan was careful not to repeat Aruvikkara, where both leaders were not seen on the same page.

Mr Achuthanandan’s demand for a re-probe into the mysterious death of Swamy Saswathikananda, however, lent the feeling that he was being opportunistic for ignoring the alleged murder all these years.

The rerun of Chakkittapara mining scam, allegedly involving former Industry Minister Elamaram Kareem, and the Vigilance case against VS son V A Arun Kumar had less impact because the game plan was clear. Mr Chandy’s personal image also reduced the anti-incumbency impact.