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Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 20 (IANS) As the nomination phase for the upcoming local body elections reaches its final stretch, early signs indicate a tough three-way fight in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, with political observers predicting the possibility of a hung verdict.
As part of the first phase of Kerala’s two-phase civic elections, voting for the capital city will take place on December 9.
In the outgoing 100-member council, the CPI(M)-led LDF has a comfortable majority with 52 seats, followed by the BJP-led NDA with 35, the Congress-led UDF with 10 and three independents.
However, this time, with changing voter loyalties, high-profile candidates and controversies clouding the traditional equations, the race appears far more open.
The UDF was the first to release its candidate list for the expanded 101-member corporation, putting up a strong performance by fielding former two-time MLA KS Sabarinadhan. His candidature has reportedly excited the Congress cadre in the capital.
Senior Congress leader K. Muraleedharan has also taken command of the campaign in Thiruvananthapuram, giving a boost to the efforts of the front.
For the ruling LDF, governance fatigue and a recent series of controversies – including the Sabarimala gold plating probe and confusion over signatures and subsequent withdrawal from the PM-SHRI scheme – have sapped its momentum.
Adding to its concerns, three rebel candidates have emerged within the CPI(M), an unusual occurrence for a tightly managed party.
The BJP, which replaced the Congress as the main challenger since 2015, is also grappling with internal unrest.
The liquidity crisis in cooperative banks linked to party leaders, the suicide of a sitting councilor and the public comments of veteran leader MS Kumar have exposed cracks in its organizational confidence.
The shock suicide of a BJP candidate also unsettled the party, though leaders rejected the connection and said he was from Shiv Sena.
In the 2020 elections, LDF got 40.2 percent votes, UDF got 37.9 percent and NDA got 15 percent votes. With margins tight and pressure on all three fronts, Thiruvananthapuram could emerge as Kerala’s most unexpected civic battle.
–IANS
SG/SKP