Tucked away in the northern stretch of Kasaragod district, often called the land of seven languages, the Trikaripur assembly constituency offers a cultural experience distinct from the rest of the region.
Life here often mirrors neighbouring Payyannur in its rhythms and traditions. Political patterns too — Trikaripur has long remained a Left stronghold.
Yet, as one travels through its towns and coastal roads, a subtle shift in political energy becomes evident. Much like Manjeshwar, which frequently draws statewide attention, Trikaripur too has found itself in the spotlight this election season.
The reason for intrigue is the entry of Sandeep Varier as the UDF candidate. In response, the LDF has turned to familiarity, fielding seasoned local leader V P P Mustafa of the CPM.
Along the roadside in Padanna, conversations drift easily between daily life and politics. “Sandeep Varier will make history here by ending the long Left reign,” says Muhammed Ali, an auto driver.
“Rajmohan Unnithan, once considered an outsider, won twice in the Kasaragod Lok Sabha constituency. Sandeep will repeat that history in Trikaripur.”
At the bus stand in Cheruvathur, daily wager Haridasan V asserts Sandeep is unlikely to make an impact, noting that his shift from the BJP to the Congress has not altered local perceptions much. The LDF’s strength, he says, lies in its candidate’s local clout.
The pattern largely continues in Kanhangad. With comfortable victories in previous elections, the LDF appears to be confident. The only shift this time is Kerala Congress (Joseph) replacing the Congress for the UDF.
“The LDF will definitely win,” says K P Madhavan, a local bookseller. Govindan Pallickappil (the LDF candidate) is popular here. He often walks through town and greets people. The victory margin will cross 30,000.”
However, Suresh Babu, an autorickshaw driver, believes the Joseph faction could help the UDF attract more votes from the hilly regions, where the party has a stronger base.
Further south in Udma, the political mood is shaped by tourism and economic change. Overlooking this transformation is Bekal Fort, which has come to define the region’s identity as a growing tourism hub in north Kerala.
There is optimism among the youth, with many pointing to sitting MLA C H Kunhambu’s efforts in promoting initiatives such as the Bekal Beach Festival.
“High-end hospitality is boosting the local economy,” says Abubacker Siddique, a mobile shop owner. “Kunhambu’s good work will be rewarded with a thumping victory.”
However, not everyone agrees. Abdulla, another resident, sees the political tide turning in favour of UDF candidate K Neelakandan. “Kunhambu has not done enough for the constituency as a whole. Development efforts have been largely concentrated in Bekal. That’s not enough,” he says.
My next stop, the Kasaragod assembly constituency, has been a long-standing IUML stronghold.
However, the contest is no longer one-sided with the NDA steadily expanding its presence. Tea talk hints that it is going to be an exciting contest between the Muslim League’s Kallatra Mayin Haji and M L Ashwini of the BJP.
Further north, in Manjeshwar, a fierce battle is one. Known for slim margins and shifting loyalties, the constituency is witnessing a high-stakes faceoff between the UDF and the NDA. In 2021, the Muslim League managed to hold on to the seat by just 855 votes.
At the centre of this rematch are familiar faces — the BJP’s K Surendran and sitting MLA A K M Ashraf.
Over time, the BJP has strengthened its position as a key player in Manjeshwar. Surendran has made a notable impression, with his development pitch. His ability to speak Kannada and Tulu has helped him connect with a wider section of voters.
Some local residents say Surendran may have the edge, considering that “the area has seen little in terms of development over the past five years”.
Meanwhile, the SDPI’s withdrawal from the race to help consolidate anti-BJP votes has added more political zing to the showdown. This one is certainly going to be a thriller.