As electioneering for the local body elections in Pathanamthitta enter its final phase, the spotlight is firmly on the alleged Sabarimala gold misappropriation case and how it could tilt the electoral balance.
With the arrest of CPI(M) heavyweight and former legislator A. Padmakumar, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have made it the defining issue in the district. The CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), however, is trying to flip the narrative, pointing to the multiple arrests, including that of Mr. Padmakumar, as proof of its commitment to a ‘fair’ investigation.
At the same time, the ruling front is not shying away from flaunting nearly a decade of its welfare schemes and development projects as ammunition against its critics.
Once a Congress bastion, the district began swinging decisively to the LDF in 2015 and in 2020 it clinched 12 out of 16 divisions in the Pathanamthitta District Panchayat. The last-minute induction of the Kerala Congress (M) into the Left fold gave the coalition a further edge just weeks ahead of the polls last time. Today, the Left front holds sway over six of the eight blocks, two of the four municipalities, and 32 of the 53 grama panchayats. Yet cracks remain, as the Kerala Congress (B) is openly opposing LDF candidates in a couple of local bodies, citing neglect and side-lining.
