KOCHI: What makes Muvattupuzha special is the fact that it is the constituency that witnessed a contest between the two factions of Kerala Congress in a past election. Muvattupuzha, in Ernakulam district, has gained a prominent place in the political map of Ernakulam also for being one of the few constituencies where the DIC(K) contested in an Assembly election.
In the 15 elections held in the constituency so far, Muvattupuzha was represented by Congress, CPI, Kerala Congress and Independent candidates.
In the elections held to the Thiru-Kochi Sabha in 1951 and 1954, the Congress won in Muvattupuzha. In the elections held after the formation of Kerala, in 1957 and 1960, again Congress candidates registered victory. In the 1965 polls, while the Congress, Kerala Congress and CPI fielded their candidates, it was A T Pathrose of the Kerala Congress who had the last laugh.
In 1967, P V Abraham of the CPI won in Muvattupuzha, while luck favoured Independent candidate Pennamma Jacob in the next election held in 1970. In 1977, in the post Emergency period, P C Joseph of Kerala Congress clinched victory.
In the 1980 election, when two Kerala Congress candidates locked horns, Joseph Varkey of the Kerala Congress (J) emerged victorious. In 1982, Jospeh Varkey repeated the victory. After the 1987 polls, it was CPI’s Independent candidate A P Isaac who represented Muvattupuzha in the Assembly.
Johnny Nellore of the Kerala Congress (M) won in the 1991, 1996 and 2001 elections. Nellore, who joined the DIC(K) in 2006, was defeated by CPI’s Babu Paul in 2006.
In the 2011 election, Congress’ Jospeh Vazhakkan captured the seat from Babu Paul.