By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram: Congress leaders in Kerala have not stopped smiling ever since six out of seven post poll surveys predicted that the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) would form the next government.
But for the ruling Left government too, one survey gave reason for cheer, predicting that history would be made when the outgoing government would for the first time in more than three decades win the polls in Kerala.
Polls to elect a new 140-member assembly were held April 13, and the counting will take place Friday in 63 centres across the state. The first results are expected soon after 9 a.m.
Some 75 percent of the 22,878,767 electorate cast their votes.
Oommen Chandy, leader of opposition and the most likely choice for chief minister, was relaxed after hearing the post poll survey reports.
“Am surprised how one of the seven post poll surveys went against us. These same people had earlier predicted we would win. Anyway, we have no issues because we are going to win,” said Chandy, taking a break posing for a women’s magazine along with his family.
Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan was Wednesday busy taking part in the last cabinet meeting of the present government.
He also had enough reason to be happy as a post poll survey reported that he led from the front as the most popular chief minister, closely followed by Chandy.
Finance Minister Thomas Issac said: “Achuthanandan was our star campaigner, and it really helped us a lot. We were able to recover hugely with our campaign. We are confident that due to the numerous schemes for the benefit of people, we will do well.”
The surveys have also predicted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to open its account this time.