Kerala votes today to decide who rules India
TNN | Apr 26, 2024, 09.36 AM IST
2.77 Cr Voters To Cast Ballot In A Highly-Polarized 3-Cornered Contest Between LDF, UDF And NDA
WOMEN VOTERS
Kerala accounts for the highest number of women voters, according to a report by Quantum Hub, a New Delhi-based public policy research and consulting firm. Kerala is followed by Goa, Mizoram, Manipur, and Tamil Nadu. Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, and Uttarakhand have the lowest share of women electors
FRIDAY WEATHER
Heat wave conditions are likely to prevail at a few places in Palakkad on the polling day. Hot and humid weather is forecast in other places. Maximum temperatures likely to be 41 degree Celsius in Palakkad, 39 in Kollam and Thrissur, 38 in Kannur and Kozhikode, 37 in Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Kasaragod, and 36 in T’puram, Ernakulam and Malappuram districts
1 KASARAGOD
LDF is relying on CPM’s M V Balakrishnan to reclaim the seat from UDF’s Rajmohan Unnithan, who ended Left’s dominance in the constituency in 2019. Rahul factor might be absent, but antiincumbency against state govt may play a crucial role. ML Ashwini is the NDA candidate
2 KANNUR
The showdown is between LDF’s M V Jayarajan and UDF’s K Sudhakaran. UDF is eyeing to cash in on anti-incumbency sentiments against the state govt while LDF banks on Jayarajan’s leadership. BJP’s C Raghunath is targeting young voters to make an impact
3 VADAKARA
Mattannur MLA K K Shailaja and Palakkad MLA Shafi Parambil are slugging it out in a fierce contest. Despite the region’s strong Left base, Shafi’s surging campaign promises a tight race. BJP has fielded Praful Krishnan, BJYM’s state president
4 WAYANAD
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is up against LDF’s Annie Raja. With NDA fielding BJP state president K Surendran, the contest has become triangular. Facing BJP attack over League flags in roadshows during the last polls, Congress switched to balloons
5 KOZHIKODE
UDF’s MK Raghavan—looking for his fourth term—and whose biggest asset is his connect with voters—is pitted against LDF’s Elamaram Kareem. Left expects Kareem to split minority votes. BJP has fielded its general secretary MT Ramesh
6 MALAPPURAM
UDF candidate and League’s national face E T Mohammed Basheer faces off with LDF’s V Vaseef. M Abdul Salam, ex-vice chancellor of Calicut University, is the NDA pick. He is BJP’s sole Muslim candidate
7 PONNANI
IUML dissident KS Hamza is contesting on CPM symbol against IUML’s MP Abdussamad Samadani in the League stronghold. LDF aims to capitalize on its firm stance on CAA. With BJP a strong favourite to win a third term at the centre, UDF is hoping for minority vote consolidation
8 PALAKKAD
UDF’s V K Sreekandan is up against LDF’s A Vijayaraghavan and BJP’s C Krishnakumar. While LDF is leading a zestful campaign to reclaim the seat from UDF, BJP is hoping to make a mark riding on its steadily increasing voter support
9 ALATHUR
LDF is banking on K Radhakrishnan’s popularity to regain its stronghold, while UDF’s Ramya Haridas is aiming to repeat her performance in the previous election. TN Sarasu, the college principal with whom the PM had a chat over the phone, is BJP’s surprise choice
10 THRISSUR
NDA’s Suresh Gopi is taking on UDF’s K Muraleedharan and LDF’s V S Sunilkumar. BJP is actively courting Christian voters for support, while Congress relies on Muraleedharan to attract Hindu votes. Sunilkumar is known for his accessibility across various sections of the society
11 CHALAKUDY
To challenge UDF stronghold, LDF has nominated former minister C Raveendranath against UDF’s Benny Behanan. Besides Behanan’s popularity, UDF is also expecting to tap into anti-incumbency against the state govt. NDA’s K A Unnikrishnan and Twenty20’s Charlie Paul are also in the fray
12 ERNAKULAM
The poll race involves three key contenders: UDF’s incumbent MP Hibi Eden, LDF’s K J Shine, and NDA’s K S Radhakrishnan. UDF seems unperturbed, while LDF and BJP are aiming to leave a mark in the constituency
13 IDUKKI
LDF’s Joice George is aiming to reclaim the seat from UDF’s Dean Kuriakose. Its ties with settlers are an advantage for the Left. Kuriakose is counting on anti-incumbency against the state govt. Sangeetha Vishwanathan is the NDA candidate
14 KOTTAYAM
The constituency is witnessing a battle of prestige as Kerala Congress factions clash with each other for the first time since 1977. LDF’s Thomas Chazhikadan is taking on UDF’s Francis George. The votes NDA’s Thushar Vellappally garners will be decisive
15 ALAPPUZHA
Three heavyweights are fighting here—LDF’s AM Ariff, UDF’s KC Venugopal, and NDA’s Sobha Surendran. The constituency has a history of swinging in favour of LDF and UDF. The votes BJP’s firebrand leader can win could significantly influence the outcome
16 MAVELIKKARA
UDF’s Kodikunnil Suresh, seeking his fourth term, is facing CPI’s CA Arun Kumar. NDA’s Baiju Kalasala is also in the fray. Kodikkunnil’s long-standing connection with the constituency has been his strength, while LDF hopes that voters will vote for change
17 PATHANAMTHITTA
UDF’s sitting MP, Anto Antony, faces LDF’s Thomas Isaac and NDA’s Anil Antony. A controversy involving Anil has boosted the chances of the other two. LDF is banking on anti-incumbency against Anto, while BJP counts on its understanding with certain Church sections
18 KOLLAM
MP N K Premachandran of RSP is seeking a third win by defeating LDF’s M Mukesh. Premachandran, who defeated K N Balagopal and M A Baby, appears formidable. BJP seems confident that there will be a significant increase in its vote share by nominating Krishnakumar G
19 ATTINGAL
CPM’s V Joy is seeking to reclaim the constituency from UDF’s Adoor Prakash, who ended CPM’s long dominance in 2019. With UDF and LDF as primary contenders, BJP’s V Muraleedharan has added uncertainty, turning it into a three-way race
20 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
UDF’s Shashi Tharoor is facing his toughest challenge yet from NDA’s Rajeev Chandrasekhar. The repercussions of the positions adopted by the three fronts on Vizhinjam protests will be crucial, among other undercurrent factors. LDF has geared up for an all-out battle by fielding Pannyan Raveendran
WOMEN VOTERS
Kerala accounts for the highest number of women voters, according to a report by Quantum Hub, a New Delhi-based public policy research and consulting firm. Kerala is followed by Goa, Mizoram, Manipur, and Tamil Nadu. Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, and Uttarakhand have the lowest share of women electors
FRIDAY WEATHER
Heat wave conditions are likely to prevail at a few places in Palakkad on the polling day. Hot and humid weather is forecast in other places. Maximum temperatures likely to be 41 degree Celsius in Palakkad, 39 in Kollam and Thrissur, 38 in Kannur and Kozhikode, 37 in Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Kasaragod, and 36 in T’puram, Ernakulam and Malappuram districts
1 KASARAGOD
LDF is relying on CPM’s M V Balakrishnan to reclaim the seat from UDF’s Rajmohan Unnithan, who ended Left’s dominance in the constituency in 2019. Rahul factor might be absent, but antiincumbency against state govt may play a crucial role. ML Ashwini is the NDA candidate
2 KANNUR
The showdown is between LDF’s M V Jayarajan and UDF’s K Sudhakaran. UDF is eyeing to cash in on anti-incumbency sentiments against the state govt while LDF banks on Jayarajan’s leadership. BJP’s C Raghunath is targeting young voters to make an impact
3 VADAKARA
Mattannur MLA K K Shailaja and Palakkad MLA Shafi Parambil are slugging it out in a fierce contest. Despite the region’s strong Left base, Shafi’s surging campaign promises a tight race. BJP has fielded Praful Krishnan, BJYM’s state president
4 WAYANAD
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is up against LDF’s Annie Raja. With NDA fielding BJP state president K Surendran, the contest has become triangular. Facing BJP attack over League flags in roadshows during the last polls, Congress switched to balloons
5 KOZHIKODE
UDF’s MK Raghavan—looking for his fourth term—and whose biggest asset is his connect with voters—is pitted against LDF’s Elamaram Kareem. Left expects Kareem to split minority votes. BJP has fielded its general secretary MT Ramesh
6 MALAPPURAM
UDF candidate and League’s national face E T Mohammed Basheer faces off with LDF’s V Vaseef. M Abdul Salam, ex-vice chancellor of Calicut University, is the NDA pick. He is BJP’s sole Muslim candidate
7 PONNANI
IUML dissident KS Hamza is contesting on CPM symbol against IUML’s MP Abdussamad Samadani in the League stronghold. LDF aims to capitalize on its firm stance on CAA. With BJP a strong favourite to win a third term at the centre, UDF is hoping for minority vote consolidation
8 PALAKKAD
UDF’s V K Sreekandan is up against LDF’s A Vijayaraghavan and BJP’s C Krishnakumar. While LDF is leading a zestful campaign to reclaim the seat from UDF, BJP is hoping to make a mark riding on its steadily increasing voter support
9 ALATHUR
LDF is banking on K Radhakrishnan’s popularity to regain its stronghold, while UDF’s Ramya Haridas is aiming to repeat her performance in the previous election. TN Sarasu, the college principal with whom the PM had a chat over the phone, is BJP’s surprise choice
10 THRISSUR
NDA’s Suresh Gopi is taking on UDF’s K Muraleedharan and LDF’s V S Sunilkumar. BJP is actively courting Christian voters for support, while Congress relies on Muraleedharan to attract Hindu votes. Sunilkumar is known for his accessibility across various sections of the society
11 CHALAKUDY
To challenge UDF stronghold, LDF has nominated former minister C Raveendranath against UDF’s Benny Behanan. Besides Behanan’s popularity, UDF is also expecting to tap into anti-incumbency against the state govt. NDA’s K A Unnikrishnan and Twenty20’s Charlie Paul are also in the fray
12 ERNAKULAM
The poll race involves three key contenders: UDF’s incumbent MP Hibi Eden, LDF’s K J Shine, and NDA’s K S Radhakrishnan. UDF seems unperturbed, while LDF and BJP are aiming to leave a mark in the constituency
13 IDUKKI
LDF’s Joice George is aiming to reclaim the seat from UDF’s Dean Kuriakose. Its ties with settlers are an advantage for the Left. Kuriakose is counting on anti-incumbency against the state govt. Sangeetha Vishwanathan is the NDA candidate
14 KOTTAYAM
The constituency is witnessing a battle of prestige as Kerala Congress factions clash with each other for the first time since 1977. LDF’s Thomas Chazhikadan is taking on UDF’s Francis George. The votes NDA’s Thushar Vellappally garners will be decisive
15 ALAPPUZHA
Three heavyweights are fighting here—LDF’s AM Ariff, UDF’s KC Venugopal, and NDA’s Sobha Surendran. The constituency has a history of swinging in favour of LDF and UDF. The votes BJP’s firebrand leader can win could significantly influence the outcome
16 MAVELIKKARA
UDF’s Kodikunnil Suresh, seeking his fourth term, is facing CPI’s CA Arun Kumar. NDA’s Baiju Kalasala is also in the fray. Kodikkunnil’s long-standing connection with the constituency has been his strength, while LDF hopes that voters will vote for change
17 PATHANAMTHITTA
UDF’s sitting MP, Anto Antony, faces LDF’s Thomas Isaac and NDA’s Anil Antony. A controversy involving Anil has boosted the chances of the other two. LDF is banking on anti-incumbency against Anto, while BJP counts on its understanding with certain Church sections
18 KOLLAM
MP N K Premachandran of RSP is seeking a third win by defeating LDF’s M Mukesh. Premachandran, who defeated K N Balagopal and M A Baby, appears formidable. BJP seems confident that there will be a significant increase in its vote share by nominating Krishnakumar G
19 ATTINGAL
CPM’s V Joy is seeking to reclaim the constituency from UDF’s Adoor Prakash, who ended CPM’s long dominance in 2019. With UDF and LDF as primary contenders, BJP’s V Muraleedharan has added uncertainty, turning it into a three-way race
20 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
UDF’s Shashi Tharoor is facing his toughest challenge yet from NDA’s Rajeev Chandrasekhar. The repercussions of the positions adopted by the three fronts on Vizhinjam protests will be crucial, among other undercurrent factors. LDF has geared up for an all-out battle by fielding Pannyan Raveendran