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Kerala Polls: Tharoor Says BJP "Not a Factor," Calls it LDF vs UDF Fight

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, after casting his vote, asserted that the Kerala assembly elections are a direct contest between the ruling LDF and the opposition UDF, dismissing the BJP as irrelevant. Senior Congress leader AK Antony echoed confidence in a UDF victory, criticising the BJP as a "non-Kerala" party. Polling is underway across 140 constituencies with over 2.69 crore registered voters deciding the fate of 883 candidates. The high-stakes election sees the LDF seeking a rare third consecutive term against a UDF aiming for a comeback.

Key Points: Kerala Polls: Tharoor Dismisses BJP, Calls it LDF-UDF Fight

  • Tharoor dismisses BJP's role in Kerala
  • Polling underway for 140 assembly seats
  • Senior Congress leader AK Antony predicts UDF "clean sweep"
  • Over 2.69 crore registered voters in state
  • Counting of votes scheduled for May 4
2 min read

Shashi Tharoor says Kerala polls a direct fight between LDF-UDF, claims "BJP not a factor here"

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says Kerala elections are a direct fight between LDF and UDF, claiming the BJP is "not a factor" in the state.

"The BJP is not a factor here... It is a fight between an incumbent LDF govt and a challenging UDF. - Shashi Tharoor"

Thiruvananthapuram, April 9

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor cast his vote in the Keralam Assembly elections on Thursday in Thiruvananthapuram, asserting that the electoral battle in the state is primarily between the ruling Left Democratic Front and the Congress-led United Democratic Front.

Speaking to ANI after exercising his franchise, Tharoor downplayed the Bharatiya Janata Party's role in the state's political landscape. "The BJP is not a factor here. This is a state where the BJP is a zero-seat party in the Assembly. To even mention them in the same breath is an excessive compliment. It is a fight between an incumbent LDF govt and a challenging UDF," he told ANI.

Polling began at 7 am across all 140 constituencies in Keralam, with voters turning out steadily to decide the fate of 883 candidates. According to the Election Commission of India, voter turnout stood at 16.2 per cent till 9 AM.

Senior Congress leader AK Antony also exuded confidence in a UDF victory, predicting a "clean sweep" for the alliance. "People want to send off this present LDF government... UDF will form the government," Antony said after casting his vote in Thiruvananthapuram, while also criticising the BJP as a "non-Kerala" party.

Keralam has over 2.69 crore registered voters, including 1.38 crore women and 1.31 crore men, along with 277 voters in the third gender category. Nearly 4.24 lakh first-time voters aged 18-19 are participating, while over 2 lakh voters are aged above 85.

To ensure smooth polling, authorities have set up 30,471 polling stations and deployed around 1.46 lakh trained personnel across the state. Security has also been heightened, with over 1,200 police teams active on the ground.

The election is being seen as a high-stakes contest between the incumbent LDF, which is seeking a third consecutive term, and the UDF, aiming for a comeback. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While I agree BJP isn't a major force in Kerala, calling them a "zero-seat party" might be a bit dismissive. They have been trying to make inroads. That said, the real fight is indeed between the two fronts. Hoping for a government that works for all Keralites! 🙏
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AK Antony
AK Antony sir's confidence is infectious! A clean sweep for UDF would be fantastic. People are tired of the current government's policies. Time for a change that puts Kerala's development first.
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Meera T
It's good to see such high voter registration, especially among women and first-time voters. That's the real strength of our democracy. Whoever wins, I hope they address youth employment and healthcare. 🇮🇳
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Siddharth J
Respectfully, I think Tharoor and Antony are underestimating the BJP's organizational growth. Calling them "non-Kerala" is a bit much. They may not win many seats, but they are influencing the narrative. The LDF vs UDF fight is classic, though.
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Nisha Z
As a Keralite, I'm just happy the election process is so smooth and secure with all those polling stations and police teams. That's something we can be proud of. Now, let the best front win and deliver on their promises! 🤞

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