Thiruvananthapuram: Political tension is running high across Kerala as parties and candidates await the counting of votes scheduled for Monday morning, with expectations and anxieties cutting across party lines.

For the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the outcome represents a crucial test of whether the Left can secure a historic third consecutive term in the state.

The Congress-led United Democratic Front, meanwhile, is banking on a resurgence that could return it to power after years in opposition. The Bharatiya Janata Party is focused on a more modest goal — regaining representation after losing its lone seat in the 2021 elections, while also hoping for any signs of expanded support.

Counting will begin at 8 am with postal and service ballots, followed by Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) counting from around 8:30 am, with early trends expected to shape the day’s political narrative.

ALSO READ | High turnout, no wave - The real Kerala story

On Saturday, the mood on the ground reflected the uncertainty of the contest. Even routine political interactions carried an undercurrent of tension, with leaders acknowledging the unpredictability of the outcome while maintaining public confidence.

State Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian, contesting for a third consecutive term from Chengannur, expressed confidence about his own prospects but was equally focused on the broader question facing the Left front. In conversations with acquaintances, he repeatedly asked whether the Left would return to power, a sentiment that drew only cautious, non-committal responses.

The election has also carried symbolic weight for Cherian, as speculation continues around the so-called “Manmohan Bungalow” associated with political misfortune for past occupants, a narrative that has added colour to local campaign chatter.

ALSO READ | Will the deputy chief minister post make a comeback in Kerala politics?

For the Left, a victory would mark a rare electoral hat-trick in Kerala’s politically competitive landscape. For the UDF, it would signal a significant comeback driven by perceived shifts in voter sentiment. For the BJP, even marginal gains would be viewed as important progress in a state where it has historically struggled to gain a foothold.

As Kerala moves towards counting day, anticipation remains intense, with the final outcome expected to be known by mid-morning and the state poised for a decisive political verdict.

IANS