Kerala assembly polls: LDF eyes hat-trick in Aranmula as UDF, BJP gear up for big fight

Pathanamthitta (Kerala): The Aranmula Assembly constituency, part of the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha segment, is emerging as one of the most closely watched seats in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, with all three major fronts, the LDF, UDF and NDA, gearing up for a high-stakes contest.

Comprising Pathanamthitta municipality and several panchayats across Kozhencherry and Thiruvalla taluks, Aranmula is a constituency deeply rooted in cultural heritage.

A seat with a unique political pattern

Aranmula holds a distinct place in Kerala’s political map, with voters historically resisting long-term dominance by any single front. For nearly three decades after 1991, the constituency did not re-elect the same front consecutively, a trend that was broken by LDF’s Veena George in 2021.

In that election, CPM leader Veena George secured a decisive victory with 74,950 votes, defeating Congress veteran K Sivadasan Nair, who polled 56,654 votes. The margin of 19,003 votes marked a strong consolidation of Left support in the constituency.

The BJP, which has had fluctuating fortunes in the constituency, is attempting a fresh push by fielding senior leader and former Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan.

The party’s vote share has seen variations over the years, from 10,227 votes in 2011 to a peak of 37,906 votes in 2016, before dropping to 21,099 in 2021. With Kummanam’s entry, the BJP is hoping to regain lost ground and expand its base, potentially making the contest more competitive.

The Congress-led UDF has fielded Youth Congress leader Abin Varkey, aiming to capitalise on anti-incumbency sentiments and mobilise younger voters.

The UDF has also turned public anger over alleged lapses in the health sector into a key campaign issue. In a symbolic move, the family of Usha Joseph, who was reportedly affected by a serious surgical error at Alappuzha Medical College, handed over Abin Varkey’s nomination deposit. 

LDF eyes hat-trick amid development pitch

The LDF is banking on governance and development achievements to retain the seat for a third consecutive term. Veena George is projecting the state government’s performance, including flood mitigation efforts, river conservation, infrastructure improvements, and public healthcare initiatives.

If she manages to secure another victory, it would mark a historic hat-trick in a constituency known for its anti-incumbency trend. While the LDF continues to enjoy a structural advantage, especially if it retains its traditional vote base, including sections of the Orthodox community, both the UDF and BJP are working to disrupt that dominance.