Kerala's Pathanamthitta is set to witness an interesting triangular clash in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 26.
Incumbent UDF MP Anto Antony, who won the seat by 44,243 votes in 2019, is hoping to retain the mandate in 2024. He is up against BJP's Anil K Antony, whose decision to join the saffron party dealt a big blow to his father and Congress veteran AK Antony's legacy. LDF's TM Thomas Isaac is also hoping to gain a foothold in the region where the Left has seen a political surge in the last few years.
Notably, Christians make up nearly 40% of Pathanamthitta's population and hold significant sway in the political landscape of the constituency. Unsurprisingly, all three major candidates are from the Christian community, indicating the importance of this voting bloc.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made efforts to connect with the Christian community during his visits to the state, including recalling his interaction with Pope Francis and highlighting the government's successful intervention in rescuing a priest from ISIS captivity. These actions are part of the BJP's broader strategy to appeal to Christian voters and expand its traditional Hindu support base.
The BJP, which saw a significant increase in its vote share in the 2019 elections due to the Sabarimala temple issue, continues to focus on this theme. The party has been vocal about the alleged mismanagement of the Sabarimala shrine by the LDF government, especially criticising the inadequate facilities provided to pilgrims recently. In addition to religious issues, the BJP is reaching out to the local agricultural community, particularly rubber farmers, by promising better incentives for rubber sheet exports, directly countering the policies of the Left government.
The UDF's electoral dynamics have been made more complex by controversial remarks made by Anto Antony about the Pulwama attack. The BJP and CPM have used these comments to their advantage.
In fact, Anil Antony's all-out offensive on his father's party has caused embarrassment to AK Antony and generated a lot of buzz in the run up to the elections. Anil Antony provocatively suggested that the Congress should move to Pakistan and said the grand old party is cut off from India’s socio-political and cultural realities. He even said that people has completed rejected Congress.
Anto Antony responded to the accusations regarding his statement on Pakistan's involvement in Pulwama by criticising the BJP for using divisive tactics reminiscent of “Hitler's regime”. He also highlighted historical instances of what he views as betrayals by the BJP and RSS during India's freedom struggle.
Meanwhile, CPM's Thomas Isaac is facing legal woes with the Enforcement Directorate scrutinising alleged irregularities related to the issuance of masala bonds during his tenure as the state finance minister. Isaac has dismissed these allegations as politically motivated attempts to derail his campaign.
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The local sentiment is mixed despite vigorous campaigns and controversies. There is increased visibility for the CPM in the region. However, many locals still believe that Anto Antony might secure a win again, given his longstanding connection to the constituency and the region's traditional stronghold of the Congress party. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the UDF won the seat with a substantial margin. However, the 2021 state assembly elections saw the LDF making significant gains, capturing all Assembly segments in the district.
The Believers Church in Pathanamthitta has publicly endorsed Anil Antony, marking the first time a church body in Kerala has supported the party. This endorsement, announced during a large gathering organised by the Believers Eastern Church in Thiruvalla and attended by over 100 priests, including Mar Silvanious, the Metropolitan of Kerala, and Church PRO Rev. Father Sijo Panthapallil, could potentially influence the voting patterns of the Christian community.
The Believers Church in Thiruvananthapuram has also supported Rajiv Chandrasekhar, indicating a closer alliance with the BJP.
Pathanamthitta encompasses seven assembly constituencies, including Kanjirappally and Poonjar from the neighbouring Kottayam district. The region is also known for its traditional festivals, such as the snake boat races in Aranmula and the unique craft of metal mirrors known as Aranmula Kannadi.
The political landscape in Pathanamthitta has been primarily dominated by Congress, as evidenced by consistent victories in previous Lok Sabha elections. However, as the 2024 elections approach, the BJP is intensifying its efforts to challenge this dominance while LDF is hoping to dislodge UDF. A keen three-way battle is on the cards on April 26.
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