Lok Sabha polls: BJP's Rajagopal hopeful of winning this time

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP veteran O Rajagopal, engaged in a hard battle with the UDF and LDF contestants here to end his party's electoral jinx in Kerala, said the wind was blowing in his way this time due to a host of factors including the enthusiasm generated for the party's Prime Minister candidate Narendra Modi.

"I am getting very good response from all sections of the people. This is unprecedented and quite encouraging' 85-year-old Rajagoapl told PTI, during the last-leg of his campaign.

Rajagopal, facing challenge from the Congress's Shashi Tharoor and CPI's Bennet Abraham, said voters were wise enough to know that both the UDF and the LDF would be on the same boat after the elections.

"Both the UDF and LDF are opposing BJP. After elections they will be together at the Centre. So the only political force that stands for a change is BJP. This realisation of voters is enhancing the party's prospects," he said.

Dissolution with both the Congress led UDF and CPI-M headed LDF was deep among the people and "it is evident during the campaign. I am sure that this will reflect in the election. We also succeeded in making inroads in the minority strongholds, he added.

The "non-performance" of the UPA government at the Centre and soaring prices of essenbtial commodities also would have its impact in the polls, he said.

"Women voters gather in good numbers to listen to my words which is indication that they are worried about price raise," he said.

Besides this, the 'Modi effect' also would play a major role in turning the tide in favour of BJP, he added.

The Union Minister for HRD Shashi Tharoor is seeking second term from Thiruvnanthapuram while Abraham, a debutent in election field, is a practicing doctor and also directior of a Private Medical College near here.