Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 11 (IANS) As Kerala gears up for the two-phase local body elections on December 9 and 11, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) finds itself facing a controversy that could shape the political narrative beyond the elections – the alleged theft of sacred gold jewelery from the revered Sabarimala temple. The scandal involving the disappearance of sacred gold jewelery used to adorn the deity has sparked widespread outrage among devotees and given a powerful campaign weapon to the opposition. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have accused the LDF government of shielding those responsible, calling it a “breach of trust”. The controversy has revived memories of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, when the entry of two women into the temple disregarding age-old ritual traditions had triggered a massive reaction. The UDF won 19 out of 20 parliamentary seats in the state, at a heavy political cost to the Left. Now, the issue of gold theft threatens to reopen the same religious fault lines that once alienated the LDF from sections of the Hindu electorate. Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam will go to polls on December 9, while the second phase on December 11 will include Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod. Counting of votes will take place on December 13. Elections will be held in 1,199 local bodies – covering 23,576 wards – with 33,746 polling stations, 1,37,922 ballot units and 50,691 control units. The final voter list includes 1.33 crore men, 1.49 crore women and 271 transgender persons. Malappuram has the largest voter area (35.7 lakh), while Wayanad has the smallest (6.4 lakh). The LDF, which currently rules five of the six municipal corporations and dominates local self-government institutions, is trying to consolidate its position on the strength of welfare delivery and development initiatives. Meanwhile, the UDF sees the elections as a test of its revival, while the BJP hopes to expand its urban base. With the emotionally charged Sabarimala issue back in the spotlight, the December elections could once again turn into a referendum on faith, governance and political accountability in Kerala. –IANS SG/SKP