By-poll campaigns for two seats gather momentum

It has become clear that the upcoming by-elections in two assembly constituencies Kerala will be direct fight between the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) and the principal opposition coalition.

A three-cornered contest was ruled out with the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) deciding not to field any candidate for the by-elections to the Koothuparambu and Azhikode Assembly seats.

The UDF and the opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) have already gone much ahead with the campaign with their leaders making frequent visits to the constituencies.

The LDF is apparently ahead of the UDF in the poll campaign and is exuding confidence as both the constituencies were wrested by it in the last elections.

But the UDF is straining every nerve to win at least one constituency. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has already gone on record saying that the outcome of the by-election would be seen as a reflection on the UDF's four-year-long rule.

In Koothuparambu, the battle is between P. Jayarajan of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), which heads the LDF, and K. Prabhakaran of the Congress that is at the helm of the UDF.

In Azhikode, M. Prakashan of the CPI-M and C.A. Ajeer of the Communist Marxist Party (CMP), a constituent of the UDF, are contesting.

All the four key candidates are busy campaigning along with various party leaders.

CPI-M State Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan and Opposition Leader V.S. Achuthanandan have already campaigned for their candidates in both the constituencies.

Chandy also had hectic schedules, addressing election rallies at several places in the Azhikode and appealing to the voters to vote for the UDF candidates for the state's development.

Chandy has gone on record poll outcome would be reflection on the UDF's four-year-long rule.