Pathanamthitta: The hub of the Sabarimala issue and stirs, Pathanamthitta in Kerala, is home to the contentious temple. It remains unpredictable even as UDF’s sitting MP Anto Antony and BJP’s K Surendran are in the race, pushing the LDF candidate behind.  According to political analysts, the BJP was scoring on the Sabarimala issue wrapped with religious and communal overtones. 

According to the exit polls, the UDF will retain Pathanamthitta and BJP’s K Surendran will not be able to win. Reports also suggest that Surendran will be able to increase his voter share exponentially. 

Before the Lok Sabha election, Ayyappa devotees have been staging protests since October last year with an intention to preserve the tradition in Sabarimala. The Ayyappa devotees also insist that in the election manifesto, it should be clearly written that the party favours and will protect Sabarimala temple.

The devotees openly posted posters on the walls outside their homes, indicating that they will only vote for the candidate, who will seek votes with the open promise of supporting Sabarimala and its tradition. 

The polling for 20 Lok Sabha seats at 7 am on April 23 in Kerala. Counting of votes will take place on May 23. For the first time, Kerala witnessed repolls in eight booths of Kannur, Kasaragod and Ernakulam district. The repolls were announced following reports of bogus voting in the state. 

One of the key constituencies in Kerala is Pathanamthitta.  The other Parliamentary constituencies are Kasaragod, Kannur, Vatakara, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Ponnani, Palakkad, Alathur, Thrissur, Chalakudy, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Mavelikkara, Kollam, Attingal and Thiruvananthapuram. The three main constituencies in Kerala are Wayanad, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram.