Palakkad Lok Sabha Constituency: Is Growing BJP A Threat To CPM, Congress In Kerala Seat?

Kerala meeting and parliamentary polls have been a nightmare for the BJP. Though the saffron get together has elevated its vote share in lots of seats, it is but to bag a Parliamentary seat within the state. However, the saffron get together is having a ray of hope this time within the Palakkad seat the place the ruling CPM and the Congress are locked in a tricky battle. The seat has been a stronghold of the Left get together since 1996 however the ruling Left Democratic Front was in for a shock in 2019 when the Congress candidate V Ok Sreekandan bagged the seat shocking everybody. The Congress had gained 19 of the 20 seats within the state within the earlier parliamentary polls. 

BJP’s Golden Chance?

The BJP is smelling a victory within the seat buoyed by its efficiency within the municipal physique. The BJP had gained 28 councillor seats within the Palakkad city’s 52-member municipality. The BJP is hoping to extend its vote share to emerge victorious within the seat the place it bagged over 21 per cent of complete votes within the earlier ballot. Last time, Sreekandan had bagged round 39% of the votes whereas the CPM’s MB Rajesh stood second with round 38% votes. Now, if the BJP manages to extend its vote share by 15-20%, which is hard however not unattainable, then the get together would possibly bag the seat.

Triangular Contest On Cards?

The LDF has this time fielded CPI(M) chief A Vijayaraghavan, whereas the BJP has re-fielded its 2019 candidate C Krishnakumar, who can also be the get together’s state basic secretary. While the LDF is betting on its welfare insurance policies and environment friendly dealing with of the COVID-19 pandemic, the BJP candidate Krishnakumar has been working laborious to solidify his floor amid the truth that the get together has elevated its vote share within the final two polls, from 15% in 2014 to 21% in 2019. He can also be assured that ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’ will assist him clear the hurdle this time. On the opposite hand, the sitting MP and Congress candidate Sreekandan is seeking to retain the seat based mostly on his efficiency. Sreekandan has been intently working in his constituency to hold out numerous works utilizing the MPLAD fund. 

Palakkad: An Overview 

The Palakkad parliamentary constituency is made up of seven meeting seats – Palakkad, Pattambi, Shoranur, Ottapalam, Kongad (SC), Mannarkkad and Malampuzha. In the 2021 meeting polls, the CPI(M) had bagged 5 of the seven seats. The seat has witnessed robust campaigns from Jana Sangh and the RSS which has helped the BJP construct a powerful cadre base. The seat has round 13 lakh voters and has recorded round 80 per cent voting in 2019.