Second phase polling goes peaceful, but politics turns fiery

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan greets a senior citizen at a poling station at the Pinarayi Panchayat Junior Basic School in Kannur on Thursday.
| Photo Credit:
S.K. MOHAN

The second phase of the local body elections in the State wrapped up almost peacefully in the seven northern districts on Thursday, recording a higher voter turnout of 76.08% compared to the southern districts, which saw 70.91% of the electorate exercise their voting rights on December 9.

There were isolated complaints of bogus voting, procedural irregularities, and glitches in electronic voting machines. While all three fronts exuded confidence of a comfortable win across local bodies, the day witnessed heated exchanges between the ruling Left Democratic Front and the United Democratic Front over the issues of alleged gold theft at Sabarimala and the cases of rape against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil.

CM’s charge

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President Sunny Joseph in Kannur and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala in Thiruvananthapuram put their wager on the investigation into the suspected pilferage of gold from Sabarimala to turn the tables in favour of the UDF. Mr Joseph’s contention that the second rape case against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, in which he was granted bail by a court in Thiruvananthapuram, was an ‘orchestrated one’ drew sharp reactions from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who, after voting, slammed ‘womanisers and sexual perverts’ (in the UDF) for intimidating survivors from seeking justice.

On Sabarimala, he maintained that the government had firmly aided the criminal investigation and the course of the law. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan and Mr. Chennithala sought to counter Mr Vijayan’s outburst by pointing to sexual assault allegations faced by CPI(M) leaders, including legislators. Mr. Chennithala urged the Chief Minister to stop protecting such individuals in his party. Mr Vijayan was also flayed for allegedly delaying action on a sexual harassment complaint against a former Left-backed legislator and filmmaker.

Media spotlight

The emergence of Mr. Mamkootathil from hiding for nearly a fortnight to cast his vote in Palakkad drew media spotlight, adding fuel to discussions about the cases against him. The Mamkootathil controversy also exposed internal fissures in the Congress, particularly regarding the nature of his expulsion. KPCC president’s statement that the second complaint against Mr. Mamkootathil was ‘well-drafted’ and that the complaint was sent via email with clear political motives was rejected by Mr. Satheesan, who argued that a complaint should naturally be given in a well-drafted form.

Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal said in New Delhi that the latest remarks by Mr. Vijayan were aimed at diverting public attention from the real issues that plague governance in the State.

While the first phase of the poll in the southern districts in Kerala on Tuesday centred on the acquittal of actor Dileep in a rape case, the second phase revolved around the Mamkootathil case. Comments on the Congress’ tacit understanding with the Welfare Party of India (WPI) and the government’s perceived failure on multiple fronts, including development, also came to the fore on polling day.