Thiruvananthapuram: The electoral landscape of Thiruvananthapuram and Attingal Lok Sabha constituencies has always been intricately intertwined with the delicate balance of CSI Nadar, Latin Catholic, and Ezhava votes, each group having the potential to sway the outcome in favor of a particular political front. The UDF’s fortunes in these areas hinge significantly on minority votes, capable of either propelling them to victory or shattering their aspirations, depending on the direction of their swing. Notably, in the 2021 Assembly elections, Thiruvananthapuram district exhibited a strong inclination towards the LDF across six constituencies, save for Kovalam.
The CSI Nadar community, comprising a substantial population of 1.94 lakhs, holds considerable sway in both Thiruvananthapuram and Attingal Lok Sabha constituencies, historically aligning with the UDF in most elections. However, in recent years, there has been a growing clamor within the Nadar community for their rights, including demands for reservation. This sentiment has been exploited by figures like former CSI moderator A Dharmaraj Rasalam, currently embroiled in an Enforcement Directorate probe for financial irregularities under the money laundering act. Rasalam’s alleged attempts to manipulate Nadar votes by fielding candidates sympathetic to his cause, such as a Mahila Congress leader from the Nadar community, have met with resistance from within the community itself.
One such instance involved the pressure exerted on former Thiruvananthapuram MP A Charles’s daughter-in-law, Shirly Jose, to contest the elections under Rasalam’s influence, a move thwarted by her refusal. Subsequently, Rasalam’s own wife, Shirly, entered the fray only to face rejection of her nomination papers. These actions have incited discontent among a significant portion of the CSI Nadar electorate, leading to the emergence of a rebel Congress candidate, M P Shinelal, who claims to have garnered support from a faction of the Nadar community, although Congress sources dispute the extent of his backing.
While Rasalam’s tactics aim to fragment the Nadar vote bank, the Madhya Kerala Diocese, represented by CSI Christ Church, Palayam, has maintained a stance of neutrality, refraining from endorsing any specific political faction. The Vicar, P K Chacko, emphasized the importance of casting “secular votes” during a recent congregation, urging parishioners to exercise their electoral rights prudently to safeguard constitutional values. Meanwhile, within the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat, the Ezhava community, constituting nearly 26% of the electorate, holds considerable sway, with the Congress camp vying to secure a significant portion of both Ezhava and Latin Catholic votes, totaling approximately 1.73 lakhs and 1.25 lakhs respectively.
Amidst intense competition from the BJP and LDF camps, the UDF’s strategy in Thiruvananthapuram and Attingal Lok Sabha constituencies aims to replicate their past successes, despite facing formidable challenges. This electoral battleground stands out in Kerala for the pivotal role played by caste dynamics, adding an intriguing dimension to the upcoming triangular contest.
