Kerala’s Three-Way Election Heats Up Amid ‘Tacit Deal’ Controversy
The Kerala assembly campaign, built on a development agenda, has been overtaken by a tacit deal controversy. Leaders from CPI(M), Congress and BJP now trade accusations of secret understandings.
Allegations of a tacit understanding
Congress leader V D Satheesan accused the CPI(M) and BJP of striking local bargains. He said the alleged pact aimed to give mutual advantage in select seats.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan denied the charges. He countered that Congress had past tacit ties with the BJP.
BJP’s electoral stakes and momentum
The BJP has targeted constituencies such as Nemom, Vattiyoorkavu and Kazhakkoottam. The party led clearly in these seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Other battlegrounds include Chathannur, Palakkad and Manjeswaram. The BJP also seeks to build on its Thiruvananthapuram municipal victory.
Palakkad contest and candidate choices
Congress accused the CPI(M) of backing a Muslim hotelier as an independent in Palakkad. The seat has been a BJP runner-up in recent assembly fights.
The BJP fielded Sobha Surendran there. Congress nominated actor Ramesh Pisharody for the same constituency.
Seat-sharing and alliance tensions
The BJP’s allocation of key seats to allies sparked unease within the party. The partners include BDJS and Twenty20, an outfit backed by Kitex.
Twenty20 received 19 constituencies. These include Tripunithura, Kodungallur and Ranni.
Twenty20’s footprint
Twenty20’s base is limited to a few panchayats in Kunnathunadu. It was allotted seats with little organisational presence elsewhere.
Tripunithura is one of two BJP-ruled municipalities in the state. In both Kodungallur and Ranni, Twenty20 nominated Christian candidates.
Local reactions and campaign fissures
State BJP vice-president B Gopalakrishnan was moved from Kodungallur to Guruvayur. Workers in Kodungallur described the decision as demoralising.
Twenty20’s Ranni candidate, Thomas K Samuel, said he would not debate Sabarimala. That stance strains the BJP’s “protection of faith” narrative.
BDJS history and structural limits
BDJS will contest 23 seats in the current contest. In 2021, BDJS contested 21 seats as part of the NDA alliance.
Analysts say BDJS vote share fell sharply in 2021. In many constituencies, CPI(M) won or improved its performance over 2016.
BDJS is linked to the SNDP Yogam and represents many in the Ezhava community. Local Yogam leaders often hold Left-leaning ties, complicating the BJP alliance.
Party responses and political framing
BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar accused Congress and the CPI(M) of polarising voters. He argued both parties try to consolidate Muslim votes.
The three-way election dynamic now dominates public debate. The tacit deal rows could shape outcomes across Kerala.
Filmogaz.com will continue to monitor developments in this evolving three-way election contest. Expect further reporting as nominations and campaigns progress.
