Kerala assembly elections: Nemom- BJP banks on O Rajagopal to make its debut in Kerala

Nemom constituency in Thiruvananthapuram will witness a tough fight between BJP and LDF

Key Contestants: O Rajagopal (BJP), V Sivankutty (LDF), V Surendran Pillai (UDF - JD(U)) 

Sitting MLA: V Sivankutty (CPM) 

1) O Rajagopal 

Strengths:

The 83-year old BJP leader is the most popular face of the party in the state, which is yet to open its account. And if they have sensed victory, it is in this constituency where they hope Rajagopal will finally get lucky. The veteran leader of many fights has never won an election despite his popularity and several electoral attempts both in assembly and Lok Sabha elections. But BJP is hoping his past track record as Railway minister and outreach by the party backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development agenda will have a rub-off effect this election. Rajagopal also stood second in the assembly election in 2011. In the last civic polls, of the total 22 wards in Nemom, BJP and LDF got nine seats each and UDF 4.

Weakness:

The sitting LDF MLA is well known in the constituency and has a decent track record.   

2) V Sivankutty 

Strengths:

Well known leader of CPI(M), won the election from the same constituency last year. This time, anti-incumbency may mean more votes for the LDF. 

Weakness:

Votes may split considering the candidate of UDF, V Surendran Pillai was earlier with the LDF

Likely result:

This will be a tough fight between Rajagopal and Sivankutty and one of the most keenly watched result in the state polls.