THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For around 50 years, Vamanapuram constituency has remained a red citadel, impregnable to any breaches, standing firmly with the CPM. The red horizon over the land, which is named after the longest river in the district, did not fade even once. Even on the cusp of chaotic inter-party dynamics and wrangling between coalition partners, the CPM and the CPI, the left candidates always managed to nose ahead of their immediate rivals.
This time too the LDF is eying an encore, having fielded veteran leader D K Murali who is looking to complete a hat-trick. The poll slogan “D K is Ok” is emblematic of the space Murali has managed to carve out in a constituency that stretches from the banks of Vamanapuram to the verdant Ponmudi hills.
Soft-spoken yet decisive, Murali is seeking votes in the name of infrastructure development undertaken in the past 10 years. From upgraded roads and schools to bridges, Murali said he had delivered on his poll promises and is sure of a third win by a comfortable majority.
“We are seeking votes in the name of development, by showing things that have been built. These are the things that people can see for themselves. We solicit votes showing what we have done, and because of that, we expect a good lead,” Murali, who hails from Venjaramoodu, said.
Though the CPM might be counting on Vamanapuram as their sure seat, the UDF begs to differ. They have pinned their hopes on a 39-year-old Youth Congress leader, Sudheer Sha Palode, to end the LDF golden run. The UDF fancies a strong show this time and their selection of candidate shows their intent.
Sudheer, who hails from Palode located at the other end of the constituency and away from Venjaramoodu, is fresh from his win in the recent local body polls. He had won the district panchayat seat from Kallara, which the UDF felt has given him traction among voters. Sudheer has been flaying the LDF’s development plank and alleged that 50 years of LDF dominance has stunted growth in the constituency.
“The LDF claim of development is hollow. All sectors have suffered under their rule. The agriculture sector in hilly and forested areas have been affected due to the menace of wild animals. Man-animal conflicts are on the rise and no real effort has been taken to mitigate it,” he said.
The UDF is earnestly hoping for anti-incumbency to play out, expecting to ride the wave. While Murali’s victory margin last time -- 10,242 votes -- is the highest in the history of the constituency, the UDF believe they can upset the LDF applecart if neutral votes swing to their side.
While the two leading fronts are fighting for pole position, BDJS candidate Venu Karanavar will be aiming to increase his alliance’s vote share.
The BDJS in 2021 had polled around 5,600 votes and Venu felt he can increase the vote share further.
“I’m seeking votes for the good work that PM Narendra Modi has done. We just tell the voters about the achievements of Modi and how it impacted their daily lives. I think this approach will make voters aware of what the central government has been doing for them and they would want to see an NDA government in Kerala as well,” he said.