Chandy, Vijayan confident of victory

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today expressed confidence that the Cong-led UDF would ride back to power, while CPI(M) Polit Bureau Member and Left Front's chief ministerial aspirant Pinarayi Vijayan claimed there was an "LDF wave" in the state.
The two leaders were among the early voters in the state.
Leader of the opposition in the assembly V S Achutanandan, who is contesting from Malampuzha in Palakkad district, visited various booths in his constituency this morning.
"We are expecting good results." he said.
Chandy offered prayers at a local church at his home town and constituency - Puthupally in Kottayam district - and lit oil lamps early this morning before casting his franchise.

Later talking to reporters, Chandy refused to predict the number of seats the Front would win.

"I am not predicting the number of seats we will win, but UDF will get good majority. There was lot of enthusiasm everywhere for UDF," he said.
"If there is a continuation of UDF government, it is due to the result of the unity among its partners. If there is a setback, I am responsible for it as the Front Chairman," the Chief Minister said.
The BJP's performance will be "dismal", he said.
Vijayan, who cast his vote at Pinarayi in Kannur district, said for a prosperous 'Nava Kerala' (New Kerala), LDF will come to power.

With this election, the UDF will be "thrown out due to its anti-people policies and corruption" and communal forces will be "alienated", he said after voting along with his family members.
The incidents like the brutal murder of a dalit law student should not recur in the state, he said.
Urging the young, old and new voters to cast their franchise, he said this was an important election and everyone should exercise their right.
CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who stood for nearly an hour in a queue in a booth at Thalassery to cast vote, said this election will see the end of corruption and communalism.

BJP state President Kummanam Rajasekharan, who cast his vote, said he was optimistic of the saffron party opening its account in the state.