Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: The vote counting for Kerala's April 26 Lok Sabha elections is underway at 20 centers across the state. With 194 candidates vying for 20 seats, the election is crucial for the CPI(M)-led LDF, Congress-led UDF, and BJP-led NDA alliances.

Tharoor's Comeback: Initially trailing by over 20,000 votes to BJP candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Shashi Tharoor of the Congress has made a significant comeback in the Thiruvananthapuram constituency. By noon, Chandrasekhar had a 24,000-vote lead, but Tharoor turned the tables, leading by 11,815 votes by early afternoon. Tharoor aims to secure his fourth consecutive win in this constituency.

Election Details: The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the Lok Sabha election dates on March 16, 2024. Polling for Kerala's 20 seats took place on April 26, 2024, during the second phase of the nationwide elections. As in previous years, Kerala held its elections on a single day.

Political Dynamics: The announcement of the election dates ignited intense campaigning and strategic planning across the state. The battle for the 20 seats involves a range of issues, from national policies to local concerns, shaping the electoral discourse. Notable topics included the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the debate over electoral bonds.

Key Contest: The competition between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Indian National Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has been fierce. The LDF, encouraged by its recent performance in the Kerala Assembly elections, fielded strong candidates across the state, indicating that its alliance within the INDIA bloc was not a priority for the Left in Kerala.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, BJP leads from Thiruvananthapuram

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