As the winding road climbs towards the desolate plantation lines of Thankamala near Vandiperiyar, summer rain lashes rusty roofs.
Inside a labour quarters, 56-year-old K S Ande struggles to place utensils beneath multiple leaks as water seeps through the ceiling. For families like his, political excitement offers little relief on the ground.
Across the Peermade constituency, the plantation community continues to face neglect. “We have voted for the LDF and UDF governments. Nothing has changed,” Ande says, pointing to crumbling houses and pending wages.
Despite repeated promises and budget allocations, workers say benefits rarely reach them. Many continue to seek work outside estates as salaries and welfare dues remain unsettled.
Questions linger over the LDF paradropping ‘outsider’ K Salimkumar of the CPI. The UDF, meanwhile, banks on trade union leader Cyriac Thomas, who narrowly lost in previous elections and enjoys support among estate workers.
Ratheesh Varakumala (BJP), K Murali (BSP) and Joseph Jacob (AAP) complete the fray in a constituency long seen as a Left bastion.
Further uphill towards the Idukki dam, the mood shifts but remains complex in Idukki. Sitting minister Roshy Augustine of Kerala Congress (M) faces Roy K Paulose (Congress), Pratheesh Prabha (BDJS) and Shijo Antony (BSP).
Development projects in roads, healthcare and tourism are visible, yet political equations have tightened, with shifting loyalties and Congress gaining ground after local body poll victories.
In Kattappana, farmer Antony Mathew voices a concern shared by many settlers. “We are still outsiders on our own land,” he says, dismissing recent land assignment reforms as mere “election-time assurances”. For many in the high ranges, land security and livelihood continue to outweigh political narratives.
On the road to Munnar, stalled highway works between Neriyamangalam and Valara remain a sore point in Devikulam. Yet, pockets like Vattavada and Kanthalloor reflect a festive election mood, with vehicles carrying party flags criss-crossing the hills. The contest here is unusually sharp — with A Raja (LDF), F Raja (UDF), S Rajendran (BJP), V B Rajendran (BSP) and independents M Chelladurai and Selvi.
At Chilanthiyar, Palanisami and his friend Ganeshan pause while tying campaign posters. Despite backing rival fronts, their concerns converge. “We lack proper roads and drinking water. Land issues in Vattavada remain unresolved,” Palanisami says, pointing to his unfinished house.
In Munnar, Chinnakkanal and Mankulam, rising incidents of human-wildlife conflict have also triggered resentment among sections of voters.
In Udumbanchola, where histories of farmer struggles and political shifts run deep, the mood is no longer as predictable as before. Though a Left stronghold for over two decades, recent local body results have sparked uncertainty. Former MLA K K Jayachandran (LDF) faces Senapathy Venu (UDF), Sangeetha Viswanathan (NDA) and P K Sajeevan (BSP) in a keen triangular fight.
At Nedumkandam, conversations on change as well as continuity spill out from tea shops. “This time, people are listening to all sides,” says farmer Babu Joseph, pointing to rising costs and agrarian distress.
Plantation worker Thankamma offers a contrasting view: “The Left has stood with us during difficult times. Welfare schemes still matter.”
Meanwhile, in Thodupuzha, a traditional Kerala Congress–UDF stronghold, the contest shows signs of flux. Having largely remained under the influence of Kerala Congress (KC) leaders aligned with the Congress over the decades, the seat has long followed a familiar political pattern. This time, however, the race has drawn attention.
The contest has turned unusually crowded — Apu John Joseph (KC) ; Syriac Chazhikadan (KCM); Roy Varikattu (Twenty20); Basil John (AAP); Afsal M B (SDPI); P T Varghese (SUCI); and independents Ajay V Marar and Jomon John.
“This has always been a UDF area. People here know their leaders,” says Shaji, an autorickshaw driver. “But with so many candidates, the probability of vote splitting has caused confusion.”