KOZHIKODE: Though the BJP improved its vote share in Malabar, it failed to emerge as a crucial factor except in around 30 panchayats and four municipalities — Iritty (Kannur), Sulthan Bathery (Wayanad), Thanoor (Malappuram) and Tirur (Malappuram) where the UDF won 18 seats, LDF 19 and BJP one — in the region.
The BJP leadership laments that it was the 'beef ban' issue which came in handy for the LDF to fan out communal hatred resulting in a tilt in pro-UDF minority votes towards the LDF. "The LDF emerged winner whereas we also received pro-UDF votes as a result of the polarisation," they added.
BJP leaders say that it was the 'beef ban' controversy that resulted in the dilemma faced by the party. The LDF successfully unleashed a campaign which created some sort of a phobia among minorities, it was pointed out.
BJP Kozhikode district president K. Reghunath told DC that in 138 wards in Kozhikode district, IUML voters helped the CPM or vice versa to defeat the BJP. "We came second in 138 wards in Kozhikode including seven wards of the corporation where we won seven wards," he said.
The BJP increased its votes from 1,23,000 in 2010 to 2,51,000 this year, he said. "Our share in Kozhikode corporation would have been 14 if the UDF and CPM did not help each other in these wards," he added.
Film director Ali Akbar who tasted defeat as BJP mayoral candidate told DC that the LDF fanned out communal emotions in the name of 'beef ban' which hit the prospects of the party. "I never thought the CPM, which opposes communal polarisation tooth and nail, would itself execute a vicious agenda of communal politics by raising the beef ban among minorities," Mr Akbar added.
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