Kerala: Political history

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2018

Sabarimla impact: Left loses post in panchayat polls

November 28, 2018: The Times of India

Kerala Janapaksham won the vice-president’s post in Poonjar panchayat with the support of BJP. Both parties are on the same page on the Sabarimala issue. Soon after the victory, Kerala Janapaksham leader PC George said there would be cooperation between two parties at the state level.

George said he would request the Speaker to allot a separate block for him and BJP MLA O Rajagopal in the assembly so that they can be seated together. “We have reached an understanding for floor-level cooperation in the assembly. On Sabarimala, we share a similar view. We would like to extend that cooperation. We jointly walked out from the all-party meeting convened by CM Pinarayi Vijayan to discuss the Sabarimala issue,” said BJP state chief P S Sreedharan Pillai.

George’s constituency Poonjar is en route to Sabarimala. Therefore, BJP is aware that his support is vital for its prospects in this region. George can also act as a bridge between BJP and prominent Christian denominations and help the party widen its base.

George had said he didn’t treat BJP as a troublesome party. “We tried to forge an alliance with all parties and only BJP responded. That doesn’t mean we will join BJP; there will be an understanding for the time being,” he said. Janapaksham candidate Leelamma Chacko – who represents Valathookku ward – was elected with the support of Congress and the lone BJP member.

…but wins 21 of the 39 local body wards

In bypolls, LDF wins Sabari town’s faith, December 1, 2018: The Times of India

With victory in 21 of the 39 local body wards where bypolls were held in Kerala, the ruling LDF proved the gamble it took in the Sabarimala women entry issue has not set it back. On the pre-poll scoresheet too, LDF had 21 seats. BJP won two new seats but lost a sitting one to LDF.

The campaign for the bypolls was as fiery as any general election as it took place in the swirling controversy around entry of women of all ages to the Sabarimala temple. The CPM-led LDF campaigned hard to convince voters about the position the Pinarayi Vijayan government took while Congressled UDF and BJP tried to cash in on religious sentiments hurt of reportedly the majority Hindu community.

BJP, which won two panchayat wards in Alappuzha district, cut a sorry figure in neighbouring Pathanamthitta district, where Sabarimala temple is located. In Pandalam municipality, the nerve centre of Sabarimala protest organised by Hindu outfits, BJP nominee polled 12 votes in the Kadakkad division, where SDPI, the political party of Muslim group NDF, emerged winner.

The loser in the polls was the Congress-led UDF which won 11 wards, losing five from its pre-poll tally of 16. SDPI won two seats against one it previously held. Independents won three wards. Tho- ugh LDF celebrates its win, vote shares of BJP and SDPI have grown substantially in at least some pockets.

BJP, which won two panchayat wards in Alappuzha, cut a sorry figure in Pathanamthitta, where the Sabarimala temple is located