Kerala civic polls | Five districts to vote on Tuesday as open campaign ends

Thiruvananthapuram: Curtains came down on the campaigning for the first phase of the local body polls in Kerala on Sunday. Voters in five districts will exercise their franchise to elect civic body representatives on December 8.

Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathnamthitta, Alappuzha and Idukki will go to the polls on Tuesday.

The last day of the open campaign witnessed heated arguments between top leaders of the rival fronts, including Minister Kadakampally Surendran and Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala.

Due to COVID-19, the customary finale was missing from the last leg of the campaign. However, in some places, vehicle rallies were taken out with the virus guidelines being given a go-by.

Candidates can undertake a silent campaign in the five districts on the eve of the elections, where there are 1,722 sensitive polling booths.

In Kollam, police chased away party workers of rival fronts.

During the close of the open campaign, Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran alleged that the Opposition Congress and the BJP were working in tandem as 'Siamese twins.'

Reacting to the allegation, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said the ruling LDF (Left Democratic Front) was taking "anticipatory bail" by saying that the Congress has a tie-up with the saffron party. BJP leader Kummanam Rajashekharan too alleged that it was the fear of drubbing in the civic polls, which made the LDF allege a secret alliance between the two national parties.

Chennithala alleged that it was the ruling CPI(M) which had struck a deal with BJP for votes. BJP state president K Surendran said both the LDF and UDF (United Democratic Front) had unleashed communal campaigns fearing defeat.

While the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF had highlighted its achievements in the past four-and-a-half years, the Opposition used the Kerala gold-smuggling case and the Wadakancherry Life Mission project to attack the ruling dispensation.

The second phase of the polls would be held in Ernakulam, Kottayam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Wayanad on December 10 while the third phase is to held in Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod on December 14.

The counting would take place on December 16.

(With PTI inputs)