Thiruvananthapuram ,03April (HS):

With just six days remaining for voters to decide who will govern Kerala, the election campaign has entered its decisive final stretch. Public campaigning is set to conclude next Tuesday, prompting all major political fronts to intensify their outreach efforts across constituencies.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is ramping up its campaign with high-profile visits. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive in Kerala again on Saturday, addressing campaign events in Pala and Thiruvananthapuram. Several senior leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, are already in the state. Other central leaders such as J. P. Nadda and Nitin Gadkari are also expected to campaign for NDA candidates.

The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is pushing aggressively to retain power. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has led an extensive statewide tour, covering most constituencies. After a brief ten-day break, he resumed campaigning in his home constituency, Dharmadam, energising party workers and supporters.

Meanwhile, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is striving to regain power after a decade in opposition. Senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi have been actively campaigning across the state. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has also joined the campaign trail to bolster UDF candidates.

The NDA is additionally banking on new political alignments, including the support of the Twenty20 party, hoping to consolidate sections of the Christian vote. Buoyed by its recent success in capturing the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the alliance is aiming for a stronger performance in the Assembly elections, particularly in constituencies it categorises as favourable.

With all three fronts intensifying their campaigns, Kerala is set for a closely contested electoral battle in the days ahead.

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman