IUML's victory in Ponnani: Samadani holds fort against CPM's challenge

As the counting of votes reached the midway point, it became apparent that MP Abdussamad Samadani had been successful in holding the fort of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) at Ponnani.  Despite the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) fielding K.S Hamsa, the constituency remains loyal to the IUML. Ponnani has been a bastion of the IUML since 1977, and Samadani's victory ensures that the constituency will continue to be represented by the green flag.

Ponnani Lok Sabha constituency comprises seven Assembly constituencies, with a political legacy established by leaders like G M Banatwala, E T Mohammed, and now Samadani. This continuity in leadership has contributed to IUML's enduring influence in the region.

Despite efforts by the CPM to challenge IUML's dominance, their experiment with fielding K.S Hamsa has failed to yield results. 

At present, the LDF is in power in four of the seven Assembly constituencies. IUML holds power in only three constituencies. Additionally, two ministerial posts are also held by representatives of the Ponnani Lok Sabha constituency.

In 2019, of the 13,49,908 voters registered in the constituency, 10,16,815 people cast their votes. IUML candidate E T Mohammed Basheer secured 51.30 per cent of the votes while LDF Independent candidate P V Anwar got 32.30 per cent votes. E T’s victory margin was a whopping 1,93,273 votes. 

2019 Vote share 

Continuing this legacy, Samadani also secured a majority of 2,35,760 votes. CPM had expected that Hamsa’s entry would allow a red flag to fly on Ponnani’s soil but in vain. Even though M.B Rajesh from Thrithala, V Abdurrahiman and K.T Jaleel from Tanur and P Nandakumar from Ponnani hold significant positions in the Left government, the constituency reaches out of reach during Lok Sabha elections. 

On counting day, Samadani had a clear lead from the beginning. His close contender Hamsa got 3,26,756 votes and BJP candidate Adv Niveditha received 1,24,798 votes.

Though BJP knew that victory in Ponnani was unlikely, its aim was to increase the vote share. Attempts were made to retain existing voters and fielding Niveditha Subramanian was part of that plan.

The CPM has been trying to shake the stronghold that the IUML has in Ponnani since 1977. The efforts conducted in this regard are yet to yield results. Between 1962 and 1971, Ponnani stood with the Left three times. The CPM had hoped to win this favour back in this election. 

The Tavanur and Ponnani Assembly constituencies have been in the hands of the Left for ages. In 2016, the red flag was hoisted in Tanur as well which until then was a League exclusive ground. 

The people gave their verdict and breaking CPM’s expectations, decided to go with green this time and wholeheartedly accepted Samadani as their representative.