Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac has said that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) is on the path to a historic second tenure in power in the State.
Talking to the media here on Monday, Dr. Isaac said the initial impression that the United Democratic Front (UDF) would walk away with about 90 seats once the results were declared on May 13 had changed much before the Assembly elections that were held on April 13.
Major political changes in the State had re-affirmed that the LDF held a clear edge, with post-poll surveys too hinting that the LDF would retain power, winning about 70 to 80 seats.
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Stating that the spirited campaign by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan was crucial in the LDF managing to turn the tide its way before the polls, Dr. Isaac said the LDF was hopeful of winning six of the nine constituencies in Alappuzha.
He himself was confident about securing a majority of at least 10,000 votes in the Alappuzha constituency, where he had locked horns with the UDF's P.J. Mathew.
“The anti-incumbency factor, which has been a feature of every previous election, was not to be seen or felt this time. People have voted on the basis of comprehensive comparisons of the performance of the previous UDF government and the current LDF government, where the LDF, by any measure stands far ahead,” he said.
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The Minister, who said the one month after the polls was a “quite productive one” for him, with circumstances allowing him time to go back to his favourite pastimes, research, teaching and writing.
A former professor at the Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, Dr. Isaac spent the last one month researching for his work based on the class struggles in Alappuzha. The three-volume book is expected to have its first volume released within three months.