Kerala: ‘Cross-voting’ rocks rival fronts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Allegations of cross-voting have rocked the three political fronts which are worried over setbacks in several constituencies like Kasaragod, Kannur, Vatakara, Kozhikode, Alathur, Mavelikara, Kollam and Attingal.

The LDF leaders, including CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, had alleged earlier that an unholy nexus, 'Co-Le-B,' existed between the BJP and the UDF from the time the Lok Sabha polls were announced. Later, Vatakara CPM candidate P. Jayarajan also made the same charge. This was rubbished by the KPCC leadership.

The CPM leadership claimed that as per the reports from the booth committees in the eight constituencies, cross-voting occurred in the last one hour before the polling deadline. A former BJP state president told this paper that the allegations raised by the CPM and the Congress were the results of their fear of defeat at the hands of the BJP.

"CPM's polling agents were absent in several constituencies in Kannur and Kasaragod indicating a BJP victory in key constituencies. It is no longer Co-Le-B, but Co-Ma," he said.

The LDF has also hinted at cross-voting in Attingal where BJP state general secretary Shoba Surendran contested. The LDF leaders alleged that the BJP had hatched a conspiracy with UDF leaders to defeat CPM's A. Sampath. However, Ms Sobha Surendran told DC that the CPM camp was apprehensive of a debacle.

"The NDA made great strides in Attingal which has given anxiety attacks to the CPM and Congress camps. Sampath misused official machinery and Adoor Prakash ensured huge money flow in the constituency," she said.