High turnout in Twenty20 stronghold Kunnathunad

Kochi: Kunnathunad constituency in Ernakulam, known to be NDA partner Twenty20's stronghold, recorded the highest poll percentage in the state at 84.09%. The high voter turnout came amid a stiff triangular fight between LDF, UDF and Twenty20 candidates. In 2021, the constituency recorded 82.5% voter turnout. On Thursday, people cast their votes in large numbers from the morning itself, with the poll percentage crossing 55% by 1pm. With all three fronts locked in a tough contest, which front will benefit from the surge in poll percentage will be known only during the counting. Recently, Twenty20 joined hands with BJP, and this election is key for the party. "In all constituencies where the Twenty20 candidates contested in the district, there have been pretty high poll percentages. In Kunnathunad, which is our bastion, we recorded around 82.5% polling in 2021. This time, it will go up," said Augustine Antony, general secretary of Twenty20. "We gave instructions to our supporters to cast votes by noon. We think that our supporters turned up in large numbers and cast their votes in our favour. This is the reason for the high voter turnout in constituencies like Kunnathunad," he added. Meanwhile, LDF leaders said that the poll percentage in Kunnathunad was high in the past two elections as well. "In 2021, the poll percentage in the constituency was 82.5%. Then LDF candidate P V Sreenijin won. This time, the poll percentage would have gone up due to changes in the voters' list," said CPM Ernakulam district secretary S Satheesh. He added that LDF's candidate Sreenijin will retain the seat. Meanwhile, UDF leaders said that the increase in the poll percentage reflects well on the chances of the front's candidate VP Sajeendran.