Kerala local body polls: Will gold scandal, KC(M) shift, coalition strains redraw Pathanamthitta’s electoral map?

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.

The UDF, bruised but not beaten, is betting on its proven electoral machinery and a strong performance in the recent Lok Sabha polls to bounce back. Last-minute tweaks to candidate lists, however, have stirred pockets of resentment within the party. In the Angadi division, for instance, the Congress State leadership stepped in directly to settle an intense local dispute. Riding the twin waves of anti-incumbency and momentum from the parliamentary polls, the UDF aims to snatch at least 30 panchayats and three municipalities.

The NDA, which shocked its opponents by storming to power in the Pandalam municipality and three panchayats last time, is keen to maintain its roughly 25% vote share in the Lok Sabha constituency. The BJP has patched up differences with the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena, fielding candidates in 13 seats, while the BDJS contests four. Beyond defending its previous wins, the alliance is eyeing at least two district panchayat divisions. But candidate gaps in several wards show that the NDA has much work to do.