VD Satheesan (file) | Photo credit: NIRMAL HARINDRAN
Leader of the Opposition in Kerala VD Satheesan said “all is set for a historic return” of the United Democratic Front (UDF) to power “with an overwhelming majority” in local bodies including district panchayats and corporations across the state.
Talking to reporters after casting his vote at Kesari Arts and Science College in North Paravur village on Tuesday morning, Mr Satheesan said the UDF had an edge in the villages last time too and would improve further, as did its performance in most grama panchayats. UDF workers from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram remain enthusiastic.
“Strong opposition to the state government, including the gold theft issue from the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, will be one of the factors in the impending landslide victory of the UDF. People are shocked by the Sabarimala issue and the fact that top leaders of the CPI(M) involved in it are still protected by the party. While the special investigation team is irrelevant to the matter. Minister’s office to avoid embarrassing the party during the elections, however, the top leaders The CPI(M) will be arrested at a later stage,” Mr. Satheesan said.
Although the pattern of local body, parliamentary and assembly elections is different, there will indeed be signs of what can be expected from this poll in assembly elections, he said.
Mr Satheesan said the controversy surrounding ousted Congress leader Rahul Mangoottam would hardly affect the UDF. “In fact, the CPI(M) is on the back foot after the Congress took strong disciplinary action, which no political party in the country has ever taken. The CPI(M) hoped to gain an advantage by delaying the arrests, but the ploy backfired. The UDF team started preparations long before the elections and that gave them the upper hand.”
Asked about the verdict in the actor’s abduction and rape case, Mr. Satheesan said an informed comment would have to wait until the detailed verdict was examined. “The reasons for the conviction and acquittal of some of the accused need to be studied. The case is only half won and the prosecution will naturally appeal,” he said.
Mr. Satheesan said that “whitewashing” of persons accused of heinous crimes and abuse of decent people has become the norm on social media. But social media doesn’t dictate outcomes because people have the ability to think beyond that, he said.
Published – 9 Dec 2025 10:15 AM IST
