Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 19 (NationPress) The 16th and concluding session of the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly is set to commence on Tuesday with the traditional address by Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar, heralding what is anticipated to be one of the most intense sessions in recent memory.

With Assembly elections approaching in April - May, this session serves as the final formal political arena before the state fully engages in electoral activities.

Currently, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) enters this session at a significant advantage, energized by the substantial defeat the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) experienced in the December local body elections. This outcome has notably invigorated the Opposition, which is now intensifying its critique of what it perceives as nearly a decade of Left governance failures.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who began his tenure in 2016 and made history by securing a second consecutive term for the LDF in 2021, now faces turbulent political waters. With just weeks remaining until the upcoming elections, he is concentrating on damage control and managing the narrative.

The CPI(M) Central Committee meeting that concluded on Sunday has granted him the mandate to spearhead both the party and the Left Front’s campaign, reaffirming his authority during this crucial time. However, at the age of 80 and dealing with ongoing health challenges, doubts linger regarding his capacity to cover all 14 districts during this heightened campaign season.

Such concerns are likely to be magnified during Assembly discussions, where the Opposition senses a prime opportunity to maintain relentless pressure. As this marks the final session of the term, intense exchanges are expected.

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan has already established himself as a more formidable opponent than previous leaders, shedding the image of a passive opposition.

In the last five years, Vijayan and Satheesan have often clashed, producing some of the most captivating moments in recent Assembly history and frequently leaving both the Treasury and Opposition benches astonished.

The upcoming weeks promise to deliver more of this dynamic.

While the session is set to extend until March, it may be truncated once the Election Commission announces the poll notification. Until that time, the Assembly is unlikely to experience any dull moments.

Adding to the political excitement, Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal is scheduled to unveil his sixth consecutive Budget on January 29, a document that will be closely examined as the Left’s final major policy declaration before facing the electorate.