Thiruvananthapuram: Despite four per cent increase in the voter turnout and claims of both UDF and BJP, the CPI leadership is confident of scra-ping through with a slender margin in Thiruvananthapuram constituency.
The Left camp claimed that it would get a good lead in four Assembly segments; Parassala, Kovalam, Kazhakootam and Ney-yattinkara. In the remaining three constituencies also the Left hopes to retain its political votes.
On the allegations of cross voting for UDF candidate Shashi Tharoor, the CPI district secretary G.R. Anil said; all our traditional votes are intact. Left supporters have voted cautiously for the LDF candidate.
The Left leaders said that there was a systematic campaign unleashed by UDF camp towards the evening about BJP’s possible victory. This led to voters coming out in big numbers especially in minority-dominated areas.
The CPI is also aware that a sizeable section of upper caste votes have moved away from UDF to the BJP. This has mainly happened in areas where the Congr-ess’ election and organisational machinery was weak.
The Left claimed that a section of minorities had voted for Divakaran beca-use of his personal rapport with people and the LDF’s uncompromising stand against the Hindu communalism. “Our votes, our family members votes will not go to the BJP. We had taken extra effort to convince people by holding family meetings in all constituencies. The double standard of the BJP and Congress in Sabarimala was exposed at these meetings,” said Mr. Anil.
The CPI leaders said the-re was complete unity bet-ween the workers of CPI and CPM on the ground. The CPM workers accepted Divakaran as their own candidate and worked tirelessly. The LDF election machinery worked efficiently to ensure every single vote got polled.
On the high voter turno-ut, the Left camp said it co-uld be because of the inte-nse campaign carried out by the three fronts. Each front tried its best to mobilize maximum voters.
