Thiruvananthapuram, April 7 With the curtain set to fall on public campaigning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Kerala’s political theatre enters its decisive final act, marked by a palpable churn on the ground and a sharpening triangular contest.
The Congress-led UDF appears to have seized the momentum at the fag end of the campaign, riding on what it projects as a growing undercurrent for change.
Feedback from across districts suggests that sections of the electorate are increasingly vocal about fatigue with the incumbent dispensation, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan personally leading an aggressive counter to retain control.
His campaign, however, has had to contend with a narrative that the opposition has successfully amplified, one centred on alleged administrative arrogance and disconnect.
For the CPI(M)-led LDF, the stakes are unusually high.
A string of electoral setbacks, from the 2024 Lok Sabha polls to subsequent by-elections and the significant reverses in the December local body elections, has dented its aura of invincibility.
Adding to its concerns is a steady trickle of defections.
Veteran leaders such as G. Sudhakaran and Aisha Potti, along with influential Kannur figures like T.K. Govindan and V. Kunjikrishnan, shifting towards the UDF, have added to the perception of internal strain within the ruling front.
Despite this, Vijayan’s camp has mounted a high-decibel push in the final stretch, unleashing a sweeping publicity blitz showcasing governance achievements across platforms, aiming to recalibrate voter sentiment before the silence period.
The BJP, meanwhile, is eyeing a breakthrough moment.
State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar is projecting confidence of opening the party’s account again after Nemom 2016, buoyed by his strong showing in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and the party’s capture of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
The capital constituency remains a keenly watched battleground, where Congress’ young face K.S. Sabarinathan has emerged as a dark horse, even as sitting MLA and Minister V. Sivankutty exudes confidence.
As Kerala heads to the polls on Thursday, the campaign’s closing hours reflect a state at an inflexion point, with momentum, messaging, and micro-level equations all poised to shape a potentially defining electoral verdict.
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