Top politicians slug it out in Kerala

The month-long hectic campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls in Kerala will come to an end on Tuesday evening. It was perhaps after many years that Kerala witnessed such a large number of top leaders from all major political parities who crisscrossed 'God's Own Country' to seek votes.

From Sonia Gandhi to Mayawati, Prakash Karat to L K Advani, just everyone who matter in Indian politics was slogging it out in Kerala during the past one month to seek people's mandate.

Prime Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi planned it in such way that together they could cover almost the entire state. The Congress is leaving no chances as it is expected to do extremely well this time compared to 2004 Lok Sabha polls when it drew a blank.

"I think we will do very well in Kerala. One can't say maximum support because there are states bigger than this. They give more seats than Kerala, but as far as Kerala is concerned, I am very happy with the ground response with our campaign here. I think we will do very well," Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi said.

The Left also had its top leaders Prakash Karat, A B Bardhan, Sitaram Yechury and Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan campaigning vigorously for its candidates. Notwithstanding the opinion poll results, the Left is confident of a decent victory.

"We will win majority of the seats. There are four or five seats in Kerala where if we work hard. These are winnable," Karat said.

Given the current political climate, after the elections even 20 seats could well decide who comes to power at the Centre and who stays out. And that's why every party, including the BJP and the BSP who have limited influence in the state, want a share of Kerala pie.