The BJP had in fact gained a record vote share in Pathanmthitta constituency with BJP candidate M T Ramesh getting 1.3 lakh vote after pitching against Aranmula airport in his election campaign. “The new government will not change its stand vis-a ­vis the airport and will not support the project,“ Ramesh said.

Apart from the violations of environmental norms, the airport issue also struck a chord with the local RSS wing as the Airport Authority of India study report said that the height of the historic Aranmula temple mast needed to be altered if the project was to be implemented.