Kerala Christians vote for Congress-led UDF

The Congress alliance in Kerala got a large part of their votes from the Syrian and other Christian voters, according to Asianet CFORE post poll survey.

The Christians, particularly the Syrian Christians, emerged as the most coherent and cogent voting force -- directing a whopping 75% of their votes to Congress alliance. Christians make up around 25% of Kerala's voters.

The second coherent block was that of Ezhava-Thiyya -- which makes up about half of the Hindu population of Kerala. 57% of them would vote for Left DF, while only 33% would vote for UDF (Congress.)

Muslims, around 22-25% of Kerala population, would vote evenly, with around 50% going with the Congress alliance while 47% would vote for LDF.

BJP would get most of its votes from OBC's (excluding Ezhava-Thiya) and Upper Caste Hindus. They are expected to constitute around 15-18% of Kerala's population.

The LDF swept the polls in 2006 lifting 98 seats in the 140-member House, which was almost the reversal of the 2001 tally. The voter turnout this time was slightly higher at 75.12 per cent from 72.38 per cent in 2001.

Polls to elect a new 140-member assembly were held on April 13. The vote count will take place Friday in 63 centres across the state.