Sabarimala Issue Takes Centrestage In These Two Seats For Kerala Polls

Konni, an Assembly constituency in Pathanamthitta district and Kazhakuttam in the state capital are two segments where the Sabarimala temple's women entry issue and the protection of faith have taken centrestage during the campaign.

One is a rural segment bordering the Western Ghats in central Travancore in south Kerala and the other is home to the country's pioneer IT hub here. But there is a common factor between these two constituencies in Kerala, where Assembly election is just days away. Konni, an Assembly constituency in Pathanamthitta district and Kazhakuttam in the state capital are two segments where the Sabarimala temple's women entry issue and the protection of faith have taken centrestage during the campaign. A fierce three-cornered fight is expected in both these segments, where the BJP is pinning high hopes on its steadily increasing vote share while the traditional rival fronts -- the CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress-headed UDF are determined to retain their supremacy. The ruling LDF and opposition UDF and NDA are raising several other issues including development among the voters but the Sabarimala temple issue seems to be a major topic of discussion in these two constituencies.