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With just days left for polling in Kerala, major alliances are yet to release their manifestos, even as political attacks intensify and voter-focused promises are reportedly being fine-tuned.
Major alliances yet to release manifestos ahead of April 9 voting
Thiruvananthapuram: An unusual situation has emerged in Kerala ahead of the April 9 Assembly elections, with none of the major political alliances releasing their election manifestos so far. The nomination and withdrawal process has concluded, leaving limited time for campaigning.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are yet to present their official policy documents.
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Political observers suggest that parties may be intentionally delaying their manifestos to incorporate more targeted promises as campaigning gains momentum. With only a short window left, the focus appears to be on refining strategies to appeal to key voter groups.
Even as manifestos remain pending, the political contest has intensified, with all three alliances engaged in sharp exchanges. Accusations of hidden understandings and strategic alignments have dominated campaign rhetoric.
Addressing a virtual rally, Rahul Gandhi alleged a tacit understanding between the LDF and the NDA, claiming that Narendra Modi was shielding Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan from investigative scrutiny.
Rejecting the allegations, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, representing the BJP, accused the Congress and Left parties of maintaining electoral understandings in other parts of the country, while contesting separately in Kerala.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Vijayan countered by alleging that the Congress and its allies were engaging in communal politics in parts of northern Kerala, while accusing the BJP of targeting Christian voters in central and southern regions.
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With nearly 45 per cent minority voters in the state, electoral strategies are heavily focused on community outreach. Analysts also point to signs of anti-incumbency after a decade of LDF rule, indicating a highly competitive political landscape.
As campaigning enters its final phase, the absence of manifestos has added an unusual dimension to the elections. However, the sharp political exchanges suggest that the contest among the three major alliances is likely to remain intense until polling day.
