Kottayam: The communal equations and farmers’ issues have always determined the outcome of Parliament elections in Kottayam, the land of latex and letters.
Both the LDF and the UDF have tasted victory and defeats on various occasions as per the changing trends in the state and the country.
UDF candidate Thomas Chazhikadan was in trouble initially with the banner of revolt raised by Kerala Congress (M) working chairman P.J. Joseph, but now things have cooled down and he is going ahead confidently against LDF’s V.N. Vasavan and NDA’s P.C. Thomas.
All the political fronts have focused on reviving the rubber sector and the fall in its prices to appease the farmers.
Vasavan is harping on the comprehensive development of Kottayam and the revival of the rubber sector. Thomas Chazhika-dan has the additional advantage of the sympathy factor following the death of Kerala Congress (M) chairman K.M. Mani. P.C. Thomas highlights his active interventions to redress the concerns of the rubber farmers.
In the 2014 elections, Jose K. Mani had a lead of 1,20,599 votes against Mathew T. Thomas of Janata Dal (S) and NDA’s Noble M. Mathew, who were comparatively low-profile.
It remains to be seen whether Pala which came under the erstwhile Muvattupuzha Lok Sabha constituency which P.C. Thomas won six times, will favour him after the passing away of K.M. Mani. Piravom also comes under the erstwhile Muvattupuzha seat and Thomas hopes for some gain from there.
Vasavan may gain lead in the Vaikom constituency, the traditional stronghold of the LDF, and in Kottayam which he won in the 2006 Assembly elections. He also has a vote base in Ettumanur and Piravom due to communal equations. Thomas Chazh-ikadan, four- time MLA of Ettumanur, expects lead in Kaduthuruthy and Pala constituencies, apart from Ettumanur where he has strong connections.
The stand adopted by the LDF government on the Sabarimala issue may alienate a number of voters. However, the apparent displeasure of the Orthodox Church and the open approbation of the Jacobite Church (both numerically strong) in the Kottayam and Puthupally constituencies to the LDF may influence the outcome in these places.
UDF sources said that the candidature of Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad had united the UDF ending the differences among the Congress and the KC(M).
Kottayam Lok Sabha seat has favoured both the LDF and the UDF ever since its formation in 1952. The winners were: Mathew Manimala, INC (1952, ‘57, ‘62), K.M. Abraham, CPM (1967), Varkey George, Kerala Congress (1971), Skariah Thomas, Kerala Congress-LDF (1977, 1980), K. Suresh Kurup,CPM (1980), Ramesh Chenni-thala, UDF (1989, 1991, 1996), K. Suresh Kurup, CPM (1998, ‘99, 2004), Jose K. Mani, UDF (2009, 2014).
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