With women voters outnumbering men in a 1.84 lakh electorate, Dharmadam’s arithmetic could decide whether Kerala rewrites its political record books on May 4.
File Photo: IANS
All eyes are on Dharmadam in Kannur, where Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is seeking a third straight win and a place in Kerala’s political history. Vijayan, the 12th Chief Minister of Kerala, had already made history in 2021 by ending the state’s four-decade pattern of governments alternating between alliances.
Polling is underway for the 140-member Assembly, with results due on May 4. Dharmadam remains a stronghold for the CPI(M), but this time the contest feels tighter than before.
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Speaking after casting his vote, Vijayan said the Left Democratic Front (LDF) continues to enjoy public trust. “False propaganda cannot defeat the LDF… We are with the people, and the people are with us,” he said, rejecting what he called communal narratives against his government.
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The LDF campaign has leaned heavily on its decade in power. The slogan “Mattarund LDF Allathe?” (Who else but LDF?), has been used to underline welfare schemes and infrastructure work. Vijayan is banking on local development, including bypass projects, to hold his base.
But the Opposition is pushing back. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has fielded VP Abdul Rasheed. The BJP has also entered the fray with K Ranjith, aiming to expand its presence in a seat long dominated by the Left.
Vijayan’s past margins tell their own story. In 2021, he won with over 59 per cent of the vote and a lead of more than 50,000. The electorate in Dharmadam stands at over 1.84 lakh, with women voters outnumbering men.
Still, this election is not being seen as a walkover. For the Left, a win here reinforces its hold over Kannur, often seen as the party’s core. For rivals, even a dent in that dominance would carry political weight.
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