In Kerala's closely fought elections to local self-government bodies, battle lines are drawn not just between political parties but also within families. The cheery get-togethers will be on hold for the next two weeks. Choices driven by a combo of political affiliations and personal equations have led to siblings facing off in panchayat wards. 

They are trying their best not to run into each other during the campaign. When they do, they mostly walk away. In Idukki, Narakampuzha ward of Kokkayar panchayat, CPM candidate Ansalna once found herself at the same house where her brother, UDF candidate Ayoob Khan, was campaigning. “To avoid any discomfort for the family, I simply moved on to the next house,” she said. Ansalna, who joined the CPM after her marriage, says the competition remains friendly. “I was born into a family that has supported Congress for generations, but after marriage, I joined the CPM, the party my husband’s family supports. It felt right to me,” she said.

Their father, Abdul Salam, had only one piece of advice for the duo. “Take all this in a sportsman’s spirit. Ultimately, if you do good, you receive good,” he said. Ansalna admits she did not ask her father for his vote, knowing that the old man's heart would naturally lean toward her brother.

For Ayoob, who has been in politics for the past 35 years, competing against his sibling is a first, but he says nothing has changed between them. “The competition is between two parties, not between us siblings. I grew up watching my father serve the Congress party despite not being a politician, so it was naturally my party of choice when I entered politics. Narakampuzha had been a UDF bastion for so long, but the CPM has won the past two terms. I aim to change that,” he said.

He added that his own nomination came as a surprise. “The day after the party finalised my name, I called my sister to inform her. She told me she had expected it,” he said. They plan to keep the political tension out of the household, though they admit their loved ones are caught in a conflict.

“During my time as a ward member, I have been to each and every house here. My brother, who shifted from ward 7, is a familiar face as well. People often tell us they are unsure whom to vote for,” Ansalna said. 

Some even advised her to withdraw after Ayoob’s candidacy was announced. “But my party chose me, and my duty is to them and the people of this ward. I am confident in their affection for me,” she added.

But things are a bit tricky in Pathanapuram panchayat’s Kallumkadavu ward in Kollam where brothers Denson and Adv Denny Varghese are in the fray from opposite camps. CPM candidate Denson says politics has not strained their personal bond, but Kerala Congress (Joseph) candidate Denny feels differently. “Relatives often joke about whom to support, some tell us they feel divided on whom to vote for but we do try and keep politics out of family life,” Denson said. 

Denny, however, admits he is emotionally affected. “I am 12 years older than him and always saw myself as his father figure. I held his hand in life as well as politics. It hurts to see him fall into the CPM’s strategic clutches,” he said.

Kallumkadavu was a UDF stronghold until the CPM captured it two years ago. Denson aims to retain the seat, while Denny hopes to reclaim it for the UDF.

Politics has long been a part of both their lives. Denson became an SFI member during college, like his brother, and remained active. "Although I have a long history in politics, this is my first time competing in elections. I am used to asking for votes for fellow party workers, but this is the first time I will be asking for myself," Denson said. "The party announced my candidature and later I got to know my brother was the opposing candidate. I decided that what matters is that we work for the development of our ward and that nothing else matters," he said.

Denny disputes this, saying the UDF had decided his name well in advance. "It is true that I was once the SFI College Union Chairman, but after a brief breakaway from politics to look after the family, I came back and joined Kerala Congress. I am a true UDF worker now, and my utmost priority will be to win, to dismantle CPM's stronghold in the ward," he said. 

The brotherly fight assumes different hues in Pothanicad’s Anathuzhy ward (7) in Ernakulam. NDA candidate and sitting ward member Tomy Alias is taking on his brother, N A Babu, the LDF (CPI) candidate. Similar to candidates Ansalna and Ayoob, Tomy too found himself campaigning at the same house as his sibling. “The people in the house were visibly distressed, so I moved on to other houses,” he said.

Tomy, who previously won as an independent after rebelling against the CPM’s decision to allot his former seat to a Janadhipathya Kerala Congress candidate, says his political journey has taken him through SFI, DYFI, the CPM and finally the NDA. “My interest in the NDA grew from my belief that its ideals align with my efforts to curb what I see as anti-national tendencies,” he said. Tomy adds that differing ideologies within a family are natural. “It helps in the development of the country, so it is not unusual for my brother to be in a different party,” he said.

Family dilemmas, however, are unavoidable. “People often tell me they are confused about whom to vote for. My mother, who is 93, says she is deeply distressed because both her sons are seeking her prayers,” he said. “We are eight siblings, but only the two of us are residents of this ward.”

“Since our candidacies were announced, I have not had the time to speak to my brother, but I hope things stay cordial between us,” he added. 

Babu brushed aside any rivalry with his brother. "It's an ideological fight, nothing personal about this. My party has picked me as the candidate. I campaign for the development of the ward and I am confident of winning the seat," he said.