In coastal state, a left turn, and a right debut

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: If Tamil Nadu defied the trend of anti-incumbency, Kerala stayed true to it and replaced its government. The Congress-led UDF was sent packing, while CPI (M)-led LDF was voted back to power. A strong anti-incumbency wave coupled with many corruption charges against outgoing Chandy government helped the LDF notch an emphatic win. The brutal rape and murder of Kochi law student in the midst of campaigning also dented the image of the government. Going by the poll statistics many women voters, especially from central Travancore area, turned their back on Oommen Chandy government. There was an air of scandal that the government could not get rid of. Though Chandy introduced many developmental programmes, particularly in infrastructure, they failed to fetch desired results. Many in the Congress view the result as a personal setback for CM Chandy. When the high command decided to drop some ministers and legislators who were facing charges, Chandy also offered not to contest. The party leadership gave in, and succumbed to his pressure. Having won round one, a nagging question remained unsolved in LDF camp - who will be the next CM, 93-year-old V S Achuthanandan or senior leader Pinarayi Vijayan. It is not easy for the party to untie the difficult knot. The new force on the block is the BJP. Its veteran leader, O Rajagopal, won a seat and registered the party’s presence in the state. Whether the party is able to build up on it remains to be seen. For now, Kerala has taken a decisive left turn.