Tharoor facing twin challenge in Thiruvananthapuram

In the 2011 Assembly polls, UDF won four of the seven segments falling under the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat and further strengthened its hold by annexing one more seat through victory in a keenly fought bypoll.  
But BJP leaders dismiss the claims of both LDF and UDF, saying there is a strong “undercurrent” in favour of the party and its Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.  

That is why, BJP sources say, that party has put up the octogenarian Rajagopal, a popular face acceptable to even sections outside the Sangh Parivar, as the contestant here.  

Though always a loser, Rajagopal has been the largest vote catcher for BJP in Kerala, finishing a close second to the Congress nominee in 2004.

“This election is basically about who forms the government at the Centre. There is a groundswell in favour of Modi, whose rally here in February was a resounding success. That is a clear indicator of the way things are turning out,” asserts BJP district president Suresh.