Alappuzha: SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan said he believes the LDF will return to power in the state, even if it gets a small majority.

He added that the LDF government has done many things for the poor and that nearly 6 million people have benefited from its initiatives. He also said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's confidence about the LDF's return comes after careful assessment. Exit polls, he noted, are not always accurate everywhere.

Vellappally also reminded that the BJP should not be ignored. According to their estimates, they may win around 14 seats, though it is unlikely to secure that many. Still, he asserted that the BJP will open its account.

He dismissed claims by both the LDF and UDF that the BJP opening its account in Kerala would be harmful. "What is wrong if the BJP opens its account? They are the party ruling India. Now they are likely to gain a majority in Bengal as well. Why underestimate the BJP? Today, they govern a majority of states in India. One cannot say BJP rule is bad. If the BJP wins here, it will act as a corrective force. There is no need to fear if the party ruling the country wins one or two seats here. The BJP has better chances in Thiruvananthapuram district," Vellappally said.

He also criticised internal power struggles within the Congress and what he described as the excessive influence of the Muslim League in the UDF. "If the UDF comes to power, won't there be infighting from the very next day? The UDF is not going to come to power here. Even if it does, what will the situation be? Won't there be conflicts? Even now, many are competing to become Chief Minister. If this is the situation when they think they might win power, what will it be like if they actually do?" he asked.

Vellappally further alleged that the Congress high command is now effectively in Panakkad and that if the UDF comes to power, governance will be controlled by the Muslim League. He also recalled that during Oommen Chandy's tenure as Chief Minister, decisions on portfolios and ministers were influenced from outside.