In Cheralayi, minority factor adds zest to four-cornered contest

The Cheralayi division of the Kochi Corporation is witnessing a unique poll battle where a veteran takes on a debutant.

Six-time councillor and former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State vice-president Shyamala S. Prabhu is contesting once again in the division, which she represented in the council until 2020. The BJP has nominated Pravitha Vijayakumar, a member of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, and the LDF, an Independent, Rukminii Nambeeshan. The UDF’s candidate is R. Meena, an ASHA worker and Cheralayi mandalam president of the the Mahila Congress, thus making it a four-cornered contest.

Ms. Prabhu, whose tenure as BJP councillor began in 1988 and spanned over three decades, rebelled against the party, drawing interest from the UDF, Twenty20, and, according to her claims, even the CPI. The UDF went so far as to delay announcing its candidate in the division in the hope of fielding her as a surprise. She turned down the offers, reaffirmed her loyalty to the party, before eventually resigning from the primary membership of the party on Tuesday.

“I made way for the youth in 2020, but it proved a disaster. People are so happy about my return, and it is on their insistence that I chose to contest as an Independent. The BJP candidate is part of the group that fielded a rebel against me in 2015,” said Ms. Prabhu.

UDF candidate R. Meena campaigning in the division.
| Photo Credit:
R.K. Nithin

“I have always prioritised cleaning drains to prevent waterlogging, but the last councillor seems to have neglected everything in the past five years. The new areas added to the division after delimitation have large pockets of minorities who are in dire need of basic infrastructure, including housing, which I want to focus on,” she said.

Asked whether her fight was against the party, she quipped that her fight was for the people.

Ms. Vijayakumar declined to respond to Ms. Prabhu’s allegations. “This division has been a BJP stronghold for the past 37 years, and I am the party’s official candidate. None is above the party. The Central government’s development initiatives under Narendra Modi are visible in areas around TD Temple. We are seeking votes for the continuity of that development,” she said.

Rukmini Nambeeshan, LDF candidate, canvassing votes.
| Photo Credit:
R.K. Nithin

Ms. Meena took a dig at Ms. Prabhu, saying it was time for her to step aside considering her age and long tenure as councillor, since her presence would only split votes. She said that the division continued to suffer from waterlogging, lack of street lights, and shortage of drinking water. “Just surfacing the road does not qualify as development,” she added.

The LDF candidate, Ms. Nambeeshan, argued that the desire for change among the people was palpable. “Under the BJP, development has been lopsided and centred around TD Temple. What is needed is more balanced development. The principal rival is the BJP, considering the party effectively has two candidates. The addition of minority-centric areas to the division is likely to benefit the LDF,” she said.

NDA candidate Pravitha Vijayakumar with supporters.
| Photo Credit:
R.KN. ithin

The inclusion of areas from the Mattancherry division has expanded Cheralayi geographically, giving it one of the largest voter bases in the Corporation, with nearly 8,000 electors.