Wayanad/Thrissur: The month-long election campaign across Kerala’s Wayanad and Chelakkara constituencies has come to an intense close, marking the beginning of the mandatory silence period before polling. The by-elections in the Wayanad parliamentary and Chelakkara assembly constituencies will be held tomorrow, while Palakkad’s assembly by-election is scheduled for the 20th of the month. Although the three constituencies each have unique dynamics, the heightened controversies in Palakkad are likely to ripple into the outcomes in other regions. Wayanad, meanwhile, saw enthusiastic support from Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, creating a wave of energy and optimism for the UDF.
In Chelakkara, the CPM and LDF are fighting fiercely to retain their long-held position in the constituency, which has been a stronghold for the left-wing for over three decades. For the UDF, a win would bring a boost of pride, especially with Ramya Haridas standing as a promising candidate. The BJP, energized by its success in Thrissur, aims for a significant win in Chelakkara, with hopes of creating further momentum within the same district.
The election campaign also witnessed various controversies, which further stirred the political atmosphere. These included issues such as the PP Divya case, debates over the Thrissur Pooram disruption, allegations of financial misconduct like the Kodakara hawala case, and disputes around public assistance efforts in Wayanad. The CPM and UDF both faced challenges amid these accusations, adding tension and speculation to the upcoming polls.
The stakes are especially high in Chelakkara, where the outcome could set the tone for the upcoming state assembly elections. While Wayanad holds national interest due to Priyanka Gandhi’s involvement, Chelakkara and Palakkad are the true battlegrounds, setting the stage for each party’s strategy as they inch closer to the next major elections in Kerala.
