Appealing to voters to participate actively in the second phase of Lok Sabha polls, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar emphasized the significance of the day for the “future of Thiruvananthapuram,” noting the area’s limited progress over the last 15-20 years. Chandrasekhar, facing a tough challenge from former diplomat and senior Congress leader Tharoor in the constituency, urged people to vote, stating, “This is an important day, not just for democracy, but for the future of Thiruvananthapuram and the future of your own families and children. It is something that we all must take seriously. Voting is a fundamental duty of every citizen and I hope everybody comes out and votes for change.”
Chandrasekhar also visited the Padmanabhasamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram earlier in the morning.
The CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) has nominated CPI leader Pannyan Raveendran from the constituency, who previously won the seat in 2005. Despite the BJP’s lack of historical success in winning Lok Sabha seats in Kerala, the party managed a victory in the Thiruvananthapuram district once, with O Rajagopal winning the Nemom assembly seat in 2016.
Voting commenced at 7 am on Friday in all 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala, along with 88 constituencies across 13 states and union territories for the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls 2024. The elections are being held in seven phases until June 1, with the votes set to be counted on June 4.