12 newspaper agents step into the electoral arena in Kollam LSG polls

Kollam: Newspaper agents, among the most familiar early-morning visitors to households, are now emerging as notable contenders in the local body elections. This year, more than a dozen agents are contesting in the polls across Kollam district, many of them with decades of service delivering newspapers in their communities.

While Babu Maniyanamkunnil from Ezhukone panchayat has served as a Malayala Manorama agent for 39 years, Equality Party candidate Sivaji has been the NTB Nagar agent for nearly two decades. Meanwhile, others like Congress candidate R Prasad have taken up the profession from their parents, continuing a family legacy in newspaper distribution.

R Prasad
R Prasad, the Congress candidate in Ward 7 (Pallimon North) of Nedumpana panchayat, has long served as the Manorama agent in Nallila and Ilamur. His father, Ramakrishna Kurup, was also a Manorama agent.

BT Anil Kumar
BT Anil Kumar, 53, is contesting as the BJP candidate in Radiomukku (Ward 8) of Elampalloor panchayat. He has been the Manorama agent for Radiomukku for the past two and a half years. This is his first electoral contest.

Shivaji
Shivaji, 53, the NTB Nagar Manorama agent for nearly two decades, is the candidate of the Equality Party of India in the Kadeppakkada division of Kollam Corporation. He is also a district committee member of Gurudharma Pracharana Sabha.

S Vijayan
S Vijayan, 45, the LDF candidate in Ezhupuram ward, is contesting his fourth election. He entered politics at 25 by winning from Chavarkode ward, later won the Ezhupuram bypoll, and in the previous election secured the highest majority in the district. He is currently the parliamentary party leader in Kalluvathukkal panchayat.

Pradeesh
Pradeesh, 37, the NDA (BJP) candidate in Ward 1 (Varingam) of Kalluvathukkal panchayat, is a local Manorama agent. He earlier served as a member from the same ward during 2015–20.

Naduvattathu Radhakrishna Pillai
Painting worker Radhakrishna Pillai is the LDF candidate in Ward 13 (Thekkumbhagam) of Vengakizhakku panchayat. A Manorama agent in Oopanvilla, Mynagappalli, for the past three years, he follows his father, who had earlier represented the same ward. Pillai has also served as a CPM branch secretary.

S Sumith
S Sumith, the BJP candidate in Ward 8 (Cherimundackal) of Chavara South panchayat, has been a Manorama agent for 20 years. Based in Kanniyankara, he also runs a bookstall.

Babu Maniyanamkunnil
Babu Maniyanamkunnil, 54, the UDF candidate in Paruthenpara ward of Ezhukone panchayat, has been the Manorama agent in Ramamukku for 39 years. A two-time former panchayat member, he is also a ration dealer, a Congress block committee member, and a governing body member of the Karuvelil milk cooperative.

Bhoopesh Vattalil
Bhoopesh Vattalil, the BJP candidate in Karayil (Ward 7) of Chithara panchayat, has been the Manorama agent at Chithara Valavu for 14 years. He is also an Art of Living yoga instructor, youth trainer, and de-addiction and quit-smoking programme trainer.

R Ranjith
R Ranjith, the LDF candidate in Pallikkal Karavoor ward of Melila panchayat, has worked in newspaper distribution for nearly two decades. He won the 2015–20 by-election as the CPM candidate and later served as the standing committee chairperson of the panchayat.

T Santosh Kumar
T Santosh Kumar is the UDF candidate in Muzhikkodu ward of Mylom panchayat. This is his second electoral contest. He is also the mandalam vice president of the Congress and the Kisan Congress.

Tisha Rajan
Tisha Rajan, the Manorama agent based in Chenthala, is the LDF candidate in Pallimukku ward of Melila panchayat. A farmer and long-time Kudumbashree worker, this is her first election.