Women voters may play swing factor as devotion and faith dominates election campaign in Kerala

Of the 2,61,51,534 electorates, 1,34,66,521 were women, 7,81,682 more than the male, would be a deciding factor this time, as the Sabarimala issue was deeply hurt the sentiments of the women, who were strong believers than males.

Sensing the situation all the political parties were in hurry to ensure the votes of women in favour of their political parties.

Unlike in the previous elections held, the elections had a drastic change in the election campaign as all political parties, irrespective of their flag colour, were concentrated on devotion and faith rather than development and corruption issues.

While both the traditional winners Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) were struggling to have an upper hand and gain more seats in the election, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was in a mission to materialise their long cherished dream to find remarkable place in the Kerala politics.

Though the BJP had increased their voting percentage, still their wish for a decent place in Kerala confined in dreams on all these days. Though in the last Assembly Election the BJP had opened an account and have a representative in the Kerala Assembly, they could made a remarkable inroad into Kerala politics.
However, this time the things had overturned and the results would become unpredictable that who will gain upper hand or the BJP will sent their representative to the Lok Sabha from the Gods Own Country.

Yes, the Sabarimala issues and the initiative by the CPI(M) government under the leadership of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to take an adamant stand that at any cost the government would help women to the famed sabarimala, ignoring the sentiments of devotees across the state under the pretext of Supreme Court order.
Though the CPI(M) had announced their candidates and started election campaign well head of the Congress and the BJP and had clear advantage in the first phase, thing were slipped from their hands with the BJP raked up the issue of Sabarimala.

Though the Election Commission had warned the candidates about using the name of Lord Ayyappa and Sabarimala, BJP and its candidates had liberally used this ignoring the warning from the election commission.

What more to say, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah, who were in the state for the BJP candidates were give more thrust to the Sabarimala Issue. Ironically, this issue was also give more important to the Southern stats like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Besides the Sabarimala issue, the landing of Congress President Rahul Gandhi as a Candidate in Wayanad added their chances and vow further and their expectations for a cake walk victory got shattered.

The election was an acid test for CPI(M) leader and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, as all are blamed him for his adamant stand for taking strong measures paved way for the entry of some women activists, which hurted the sentiments of women across the state, even from the Communist Party.

All these time, Mr Vijayan had justified his stand on Sabarimala issue and claimed while protecting the sentiments of the devotees, he had to obey the Supreme Court order in this rgard. And if the LDF had any damage in the elections, of course, all fingers will point against him and his stand on the sabarimala issue.

Understanding the importance of the sabarimala issue, the Congress party was also taking up the issue of sabarimala. One this is sure that if the LDF lost in the electoral battle and the efforts of the BJP would help indirectly the Congress.

Sabarimala issue paved the way for a triangular fight for the first time in kerala and the political pundicts are eagerly looking about the outcome of the election, which would be announced on May 23.