Kochi, April 10 Senior Congress leader V D Satheesan expressed confidence on Friday in a resounding victory for the UDF, claiming it would sweep all five districts, and dismissed speculation that the NDA would gain a foothold in Kerala.
Speaking to reporters a day after the conclusion of the Assembly elections, Satheesan praised the performance of UDF leaders and workers, saying it was the best he had seen in the last 30 years.
He stated that his claim of the UDF winning over 100 seats was not just a statement, but based on the work the front had done over the past five years to bring back those who had left it in 2005, resulting in a huge wave of support in the state.
The leader of the opposition in the state assembly, who contested from the Paravoor constituency, further stated that the Congress-led front also had strong support from minorities and marginalized groups in society.
He also claimed that there was a strong sentiment against the incumbent LDF, and that the UDF provided them with hope and an alternative, which no other opposition had offered in the past.
"All these factors will contribute to a resounding victory for the UDF, and it would not be surprising if we achieve a clean sweep in Malappuram, Wayanad, Ernakulam, Idukki, and Pathanamthitta districts. That would be a total of 43 seats," he said.
According to him, the increase in polling percentage was due to the UDF adding new voters to the electoral list.
He also dismissed LDF comments about a woman or youth chief minister, saying, "They can make such statements now because they know they cannot win."
He further asked, "Otherwise, why did they campaign with Pinarayi Vijayan as the main factor? Why did they say that a third term for Pinarayi would come?"
He also claimed that the LDF's decision to spend government money on its political campaign, by erecting billboards and conducting social media campaigns to influence voters, had backfired as people realized that their taxes were being wasted.
Asked whether the NDA would gain a foothold, especially in areas where the UDF claimed the BJP-led front had made a deal with the LDF, Satheesan replied in the negative.
He stated that he did not see any chance of the NDA gaining a foothold in the state.
