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ELECTIONS '96

INL, PDP face bleak force in Kerala

D Jose in Thiruvananthapuram

The future of the People's Democratic Party and the Indian National League has once again become uncertain as both the parties failed to consolidate the Muslim votes in the Congress-led United Democratic Front's favour in Kerala.

The political relevance of these parties is bound to be questioned since the UDF did not benefit from them in the 13 seats in south and central Kerala, where they had extended support.

In contrast, the Indian Union Muslim League, against which the PDP and INL combined forces in Manjeri and Ponnani, has been able to improve its victory margin considerably. E Ahmed increased his margin from the 54,971 votes of 1996 to over 110,000 in Manjeri. Similarly in Ponnani, G M Banatwala increased his supporters from 79,295 to 104,244.

The PDP and the INL had approached the election amidst allegations that some of its leaders were involved in sex rackets. The IUML, which had opposed the entry of the PDP and the INL into the UDF fold, is likely to sharpen its opposition. The Congress will be forced to remain a spectator as it failed to win the comparatively easy seats like Chirayinkil, Ottapalam and Thrissur. All the three constituencies have considerable Muslim strength and the INL and the PDP support should have ensured a Congress victory there.

The good showing by the LDF in these seats vindicates the stand Politburo member V S Achutanandan had taken that the Communist Party of India-Marxist did not need mediators to win the Muslim support.

Elections '98

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