Pathanamthitta: T A Rajesh Kumar, the Congress candidate in Vijayapuram ward of Thumpamon in Pathanamthitta, balances his election campaign with his commitment to paddy cultivation. Rajesh, who has been farming nearly 25 acres in Mavarapadam, continues to work the fields despite mounting challenges.

Climate change and frequent wild boar attacks have made paddy farming increasingly difficult in the region. Yet, Rajesh remains active on the campaign trail while keeping an eye on the agricultural calendar.

"This is the time to prepare the fields for sowing. If no new hurdles arise, I will begin sowing after the election," said the 48-year-old candidate.

Thumpamon panchayat is a stronghold of the Congress. However, Rajesh is being specifically targeted by the other parties this year after he led an agitation following the election to the Thumpamon Service Cooperative Bank. The issue has turned the election in the ward, where Rajesh is the ‘mandalam’ president of the Congress, a close affair.

Rajesh, who has won the award for the best farmer in the panchayat for the last four years, has served as the panchayat member, vice-president and standing committee chairperson. His main campaign plank is the development he carried out while holding these posts.

Being an advocate also, Rajesh believes that his services during the great floods of 2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic inspire him to work more for the people.

Rajesh's opponents are K P Mohanan of the LDF and Suja Varghese of the BJP.