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Kerala Minister Predicts LDF Sweep, Says BJP Shut Out of Nemom

Kerala Minister V. Sivankutty expressed strong confidence that the ruling Left Democratic Front will sweep all 14 Assembly seats in Thiruvananthapuram district. He asserted that the BJP would have no footing in the politically significant Nemom constituency. Nemom holds symbolic value for the BJP, which scored its first-ever Kerala Assembly win there in 2016 before losing it to Sivankutty in 2021. The upcoming election is expected to feature an intense three-cornered contest in the constituency.

Key Points: Kerala Minister Confident of LDF Sweep in Thiruvananthapuram

  • BJP's Nemom prospects shut
  • LDF aims for 14-seat sweep
  • Nemom's symbolic importance for BJP
  • Intense three-cornered contest expected
  • 2021 victory reclaimed seat for Left
2 min read

'Nemom firmly shut out for BJP': Kerala Minister expresses confidence on LDF 'sweep'

Kerala Minister V. Sivankutty predicts BJP will have no footing in Nemom and the LDF will sweep all 14 seats in Thiruvananthapuram district.

"There is no reason for the people not to vote for the Left. - V. Sivankutty"

Thiruvananthapuram, March 15

Kerala General Education Minister V. Sivankutty on Sunday said the Bharatiya Janata Party will have no footing in the Nemom constituency, and expressed confidence that the ruling Left Democratic Front will sweep all 14 Assembly seats in Thiruvananthapuram district in the upcoming Assembly election.

Speaking to reporters, Sivankutty, who represents the Nemom Assembly seat, said the BJP's prospects will be firmly shut this time too and that the Left Front will retain its strong presence across the capital district.

"There is no reason for the people not to vote for the Left. This is a government that has delivered for everyone and implemented programmes benefiting all sections of society," he said, defending the record of the government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Nemom has remained one of the most politically significant constituencies in Kerala since 2016, when veteran BJP leader and former Union Minister of State O. Rajagopal scripted history by winning the seat and opening the party's account in the 140-member Kerala Legislative Assembly for the first time.

The breakthrough victory gave the BJP a symbolic foothold in a state where it had long struggled to convert vote share into Assembly representation.

However, the seat returned to the Left fold in the 2021 Assembly election when Sivankutty defeated senior BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan, a former Governor and ex-state president of the BJP.

The victory enabled Sivankutty to reclaim the constituency he had lost to Rajagopal five years ago.

With the next Assembly election approaching, Nemom is once again expected to witness an intense contest involving the three major political fronts -- the LDF, the Congress-led United Democratic Front and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. Political observers note that Nemom continues to hold symbolic importance for the BJP, which is keen to regain the seat that once marked its historic breakthrough in Kerala politics.

The minister, whose failing health is a concern, also voiced optimism about the Left Front's overall prospects in the capital district, asserting that the LDF would retain all 14 Assembly seats in the state capital district in the forthcoming election.

State BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar had earlier announced that he would fight his first Assembly battle from Nemom. At the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, even as he lost to sitting three-time MP Shashi Tharoor, Chandrasekhar was leading in the Nemom Assembly segment, which gave him and the BJP confidence to contest from Nemom.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
It's going to be a very tight fight. Chandrasekhar leading in the Nemom segment during the LS polls shows the BJP still has a base there. Sivankutty shouldn't underestimate the opponent. The symbolic value of this seat for BJP means they will pull out all stops. 🗳️
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Aditya G
As a neutral voter, I wish politicians would talk more about their future plans for Nemom's infrastructure and jobs, rather than just past victories or predictions of a sweep. That's what we really want to hear.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to follow Kerala politics from outside. The article mentions the minister's health is a concern – will that become a factor in a grueling campaign? Wishing him a speedy recovery regardless of politics.
K
Karthik V
The confidence is good, but claiming a sweep in all 14 seats sounds like typical election bravado. The UDF is not a pushover in many areas. Let's see the work on the ground. The voter in Kerala is very intelligent and votes on performance.
M
Meera T
Nemom has become the epicenter of Kerala's political battle! The BJP wants it back for prestige, LDF wants to hold its fort. Ultimately, the local issues like roads, water, and schools will decide. Hope all candidates focus on that.

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