LDF eyes an encore in Idukki, UDF hopes to encash agrarian distress

LDF eyes an encore in Idukki, UDF hopes to encash agrarian distress

The high-range Idukki region in Kerala is tense ahead of the Lok Sabha election later this month. General election has never been this nervy here. Rumours about possible candidates flew thick and fast in this constituency less than a month ago. Former chief minister Oommen Chandy's name did the rounds for a while. The Congress and the United Democratic Front (UDF) that it leads wanted to field the AICC general secretary to retake Idukki and end its current Parliamentary and Assembly drought.

When Chandy made his stance clear, Kerala Congress leader P J Joseph's name surfaced. The Kerala Congress (M) working chairman wished to contest. Even as his own party denied him the ticket for the adjoining Kottayam constituency, Joseph's influence in this hilly part of Kerala was enough to win the Idukki seat. But Congress did not want to hand over their seat to a party ally and gave Youth Congress state president Dean Kuriakose, who lost time, another chance.

While the UDF was grappling with alliance issues over the seat, its main rival Left Democratic Front (LDF) went ahead and announced the name of its sitting MP and independent Joyce George. The Left had not considered any other candidate for the seat.

Delay happened in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) too. Though NDA constituent Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) was given the seat early, its candidate Biju Krishna was declared much after the UDF named its.

Idukki constituency is made of seven Assembly constituencies – five in Idukki and two in Ernakulam district. Joyce had beaten Congress pick Dean Kuriakose with over half a lakh votes in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Farmer suicides, flood aftermath

LDF eyes an encore in Idukki, UDF hopes to encash agrarian distress
Dean Kuriakose and Joice George. File photo

The LDF had wrested the Idukki Lok Sabha seat from the UDF in 2014 largely because of the row over the Kasturirangan Report on protecting the Western Ghats. Joyce, who surged ahead with the support of High Range Protection Council then, projects his developmental works as the incumbent MP this time.

Both Joyce and LDF claim they brought developments worth Rs 4,750 crore to Idukki in the last five years. State government's Rs 5,000 flood package too is being showcased by the Left.

The rivals UDF attack them with the claim that LDF has forgotten its prime topic from the last election – Kasturirangan Report. They also attack the delay over the final resolution on the report. UDF also flags eight recent farmer suicides in the district and poor returns from agricultural products as a major poll issue.

The Government did nothing to stop farmer suicides, allay confusion on loan moratorium or help flood victims, UDF leaders allege.

The NDA, meanwhile, plans to project the achievements of Narendra Modi government. Its leaders are apprising voters on the central government's stance on the Kasturirangan issue. They too attack the state government for farmer suicides and low income on farm products. Sabarimala issue will also be NDA's campaign topic.

Idukki diocese's secret letter banning priest's involvement in politics has upset the LDF and High Range Protection Council which had rallied people last time against the Western Ghats report. Another worry is allegations against Joyce over the Kottakamboor land deal.

The NDA fears loss of minority votes even when the Sabarimala issue could help raise its vote share.

Congress fortress

Idukki is described as Congress fortress as the party has won seven of the 11 Lok Sabha contests here.

Even top Congress leaders agree infighting also led to its candidate's defeat last time. District-level leaders have been warned of serious action if self-destructive ploys continue. P J Joseph leads the UDF campaign here.

Idukki Lok Sabha Constituency | Elections 2019
Assembly segments in Idukki Lok Sabha constituency.

Currently, the CPM-led LDF rules 27 out of 52 Gram Panchayats in Idukki. But the UDF had won six out of eight Block Panchayats, and 10 of 16 District Panchayat divisions in the local body polls. Both municipalities in the region are also with the UDF.

The LDF holds three and the UDF two Assembly constituencies falling within the Idukki district. However, LDF has in its kitty two more Assembly constituencies if the Idukki Lok Sabha constituency overall is considered.

Idukki Lok Sabha Constituency

Several Top Kerala politicians – C M Stephen, M M Lawrence, P J Kurian, C A Kurian, Pala K M Mathew, A C Jose, P C Chacko, P J Joseph, P T Thomas, K Francis George, Benny Behanan, M C Josephine - have contested from here.

Every election has been intense in Idukkki since its inception in 1977.

Congress leader C M Stephen, who won from Idukki in 1977, became the opposition leader in the Lok Sabha. The party's P J Kurien (1984) has the largest victory margin from here. Pala K M Mathew (Congress) (1989 and 1991) and Kerala Congress (J)'s K Francis George (1999 and 2004) have won twice consecutively from the seat.

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