Thiruvananthapuram: With only two weeks left before the Kerala local‑body elections, the main parties have stepped up their canvassing, even as a wave of independent challengers threatens to shake up the status quo.
Kerala will conduct a two‑phase ballot: the first round on December 9, the second two days later, with results announced on December 13.
As enthusiasm surges across the countryside, parties are fighting internal divisions, especially in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam districts where splinter candidates are making a mark.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is leaning on its track record of development projects and welfare schemes, convinced voters will respond positively, even as the opposition stokes anger over the Sabarimala gold‑heist scandal.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) counters with a focus on anti‑incumbency and corruption allegations, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) aims for a breakthrough, targeting key urban areas.
In the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, both LDF and UDF are dealing with rebel bids in five wards each.
For the LDF, wards such as Ulloor, Vazhayottukonam, Chempazhanthy, Kachani and Vizhinjam have independent candidates disregarding party lineups.
Likewise, the UDF confronts rebel threats in Poundkadavu, Ulloor, Kazhakkoottam, Punchakkari and Vizhinjam, complicating coordinated campaigning.
Rebel forces have also emerged in the Kochi Corporation, where more than ten wards feature UDF dissidents running alone or with local backing, including those previously held by aides of former Deputy Mayor Prem Kumar.
These unsanctioned candidates risk eroding traditional vote banks, particularly in closely contested districts.
In Thrissur, the Congress, CPI(M), and CPI all face parallel challengers, threatening to split their respective support bases.
Palakkad’s Pirayiri Panchayat has likewise become a rebel hotbed, with dissident UDF members contesting five wards and testing the front’s organisational cohesion.
The Congress has made it clear that refusal to yield will lead to expulsion, underscoring the gravity of internal discipline across parties.
With the countdown to polling day in full swing, managing rebel factions and mitigating damage is just as vital as mobilising voters. The three major fronts regard the local‑body elections as a semifinal, setting the stage for the pivotal Assembly polls later this year.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
