Campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections in Kottayam and Pathanamthitta concluded on Wednesday, setting the stage for a direct battle between rival Kerala Congress groups. In Kottayam, 14 candidates are vying for the votes of 12.54 lakh voters, while Pathanamthitta, with a total electorate of 14.29 lakh, will see eight candidates contesting, including those fielded by the Congress, CPI(M), and the BJP.
Over the past week, the region witnessed a surge in campaign activities, with several national leaders, including Rajnath Singh, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi, participating in the electioneering. Elaborate arrangements have been made by the election authorities to ensure a smooth conduct of polling on Friday, with webcasting facilities, wireless networks, and extensive security measures in place.