THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The RSS believes that Lord Ayyappa has blessed it with a Hindu consolidation in Kerala unlike anywhere else in the country in the Lok Sabha elections. As per its calculations, there was a 46 percent Hindu consolidation pushing up the BJP's vote share to 22-22 percent from the 10. 3 percent in 2014.
Though four more phases remain to be completed for the elections, the state RSS thinks it has already gained in Kerala due to the Sabarimala issue which will translate into the victory of the NDA in Thiruvananthapuram and Pathanamthitta. A top RSS leader told DC that there were undercurrents in favour of the NDA in Thrissur and Palakkad constituencies as well.
"During the 2014 LS elections and 2016 Assembly elections, the BJP's vote share was 10.3 percent and 10. 5 percent respectively. Now, we anticipate between 20 - 22 percent," he said. The RSS concedes that there has been a minority consolidation in favour of the UDF with 26 percent Muslims and 20 percent Christians rallying behind it. Actor-turned politician Suresh Gopi has done well in Thrissur where in the 2016 Assembly elections, the BJP had polled 2.15 lakh votes in seven Assembly segments.
"This time there are 1.50 lakh new voters and one-third of them will support the BJP in Thrissur. Suresh Gopi will get 50, 000 individual votes and he will win with 3.75 lakh to 4 lakh votes," the RSS leader said.
The RSS leadership rubbished the reports that top brass of the state BJP leadership came under attack from the parivar organisations in the meeting held in Kochi. A prominent leader was pulled up for his frequent vitriolic comments that brought distress to the party workers, it was reported.
