Among seats which were going to bypolls on November 13 and the elections, which have now been postponed to November 20 include the Palakkad assembly constituency of Kerala.
Apart from Palakkad, one assembly and Lok Sabha seats from Kerala were also going to the bypolls. However, election dates for those two seats remain unchanged, that is, November 13, as per the original schedule.
Given the representations, which have been received from various recognised national and state political parties (including Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal) and some social organisations for changing the date of poll in some assembly constituencies having by-elections on November 13, the Election Commission of India has made this change.
ECI also underscored that large-scale social, cultural and religious engagements on that day may cause inconvenience to people, leading to reduced voter’s participation.
As far as Palakkad seat is concerned, bypoll has been rescheduled in view of the ‘Kalpathi Ratholsavam’ to be held from November 13 to 15.
One wonders whether or not the ECI referred to the Malayalam calendar before suggesting dates of bypolls.
In Kerala, festival dates are decided in accordance with the Malayalam calendar and the local traditions and customs.
Meanwhile, politics around this date change has gained momentum pertaining to Palakkad seat.
UDF candidate Rahul Mamkoottathil said the change in poll date will help the voters and benefit the devotees.
Notably, NDA candidate C Krishnakumar claimed that the BJP requested for a date change on the day the notification was issued. However, the district administration had given a report in favour of conducting election on the earlier fixed date.
It has been learnt that the party leadership has convinced the commission that a large number of residents will not be able to cast votes owing to the festival.
However, the district administration’s report was that the election on the earlier declared day will not cause inconvenience. The BJP termed this report to be a conspiracy by the UDF and the LDF against BJP supporters to keep the BJP vote bank at bay.
Taking cue from this, P Sarin, the LDF candidate, suspects a conspiracy behind the delay.
He said that the delay in the announcement was to give credit to the BJP that it is they who are concerned about the Hindus who celebrate the festival of Kalpathi Ratholsavam.
The UDF and the Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan tried to drub the decision as something that would not affect the party’s prospects.
Although the Congress leadership has welcomed the date change, the party workers at the grassroots level are not happy with the decision.
However, the BJP Palakkad district president KM Haridas used the opportunity to show the party’s concern towards the community who observe the festival.
What is Kalpathi Ratholsavam?
During the annual Ratholsavam (chariot festival) at Sree Viswanatha Swamy Temple at Kalpathi in Palakkad, giant chariots sweep through the city streets.
One can view exotic, colourful chariots all across the streets.
The temple, dedicated to Lord Viswanatha or Shiva and built over 700 years ago, usually celebrates the festival during November.
This event has been celebrated for centuries and devotees crowd the streets in large numbers.
As the chariots pass, people can be seen dancing and celebrating throughout the route.
Recitations of Vedic rituals and cultural programmes are held. The final three days bring three gigantic chariots to the roads and revelry reaches its crescendo.
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