BJP's chances dented by Modi's Kerala-Somalia gaffe: Congress

Former defence minister A.K. Antony on Monday casted his vote and said that he is confident that United Democratic Front (UDF) will have a clean sweep in Kerala where polling for electing a new state assembly is under way, while adding that the Bharatiya Janata Party in spite of the hectic campaign by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be able to open an account in the state.

Antony told ANI, "I am very happy today. I am 100 percent sure that these elections will mark a new history for Kerala. Once again UDF is going to come back again. We will win hands down this election. LDF will once again sit in the opposition for next five years," he said.

"The BJP in spite of the hectic campaign by the Prime Minister will not be able to open an account in Kerala assembly. I am sure Kerala will vote for peace, communal harmony, stability and progress. I am very sure that we will get more seats than we got in last elections," he added.

The Congress leader asserted that the Prime Minister's speech where he compared Kerala with Somalia would really dent BJP's chances in Kerala as the statement had hurt the pride of every Malayali in the state.

Kerala would see polling for its 140 seats assembly.The polling started at 7 a.m. and would end at 6 p.m.

All non-sensitive booths would have a policeman each for providing security and central paramilitary force personnel would give security cover for the sensitive and hypersensitive booths.

Meanwhile, the election authorities are bracing for the possibility of unusual rains today.

The Election Commission has made additional efforts in the polling booths to provide cover for the voters to come and exercise their franchise without getting drenched in the possible rain.

The Kerala Government has made elaborate arrangements for smooth and peaceful conduct of polls.