Nearly a hundred years have passed since Thrithala’s own VT Bhattathiripad, born on the banks of the Nila, wrote his revolutionary play “Adukkalayil Ninnu Arangathekku” in 1929, challenging the casteist social structure that oppressed women, particularly within the Namboothiri community. In the decades since, society has slowly but steadily progressed—feudal traditions have declined, political leaders have risen and fallen, and social currents have shifted. Yet, the quest for progress endures, and it has emerged as the defining theme shaping conversations among voters in Thrithala this election season.
Thrithala’s election buzz centers on progress, with voters debating development claims.
The constituency is witnessing one of its most closely fought contests in recent years. MLA and CPM leader M B Rajesh faces Congress candidate and two-time former MLA VT Balram. While the NDA has fielded V Unnikrishnan, the primary battle is widely seen as a direct fight between LDF and UDF. At a milk producers’ co-operative beside the Shiva temple in Thrithala, the election mood is palpable. In a small building that barely accommodates 10 members, conversations that once revolved around cattle and milk prices have turned sharply political. Since the election was announced, quiet daily routines have given way to spirited debates.“LDF claims it improved roads during Rajesh’s tenure, but if you travel through the interior panchayat roads, you will see a different reality. Many remain in poor condition. Despite ruling the state for 10 consecutive years, that progress has not fully reached this constituency,” said T K Muhammed, who runs a travel agency.A K Chandrababu, a co-operative member, offered a contrasting view. He pointed to significant development in education and healthcare infrastructure. “New school buildings have come up and the Thrithala general hospital, which dates back to the pre-inde-pendence era, has a new building. Inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of doctors had long been a persistent problem. Rajesh focused on addressing this and the results are visible,” he said.Despite their political differences, both LDF and UDF supporters agree on the challenges facing farmers and dairy farmers. Rising costs of cattle feed and labour have made dairy farming increasingly unviable. Agriculture, a major livelihood in the constituency, is also under strain due to low crop prices and the growing menace of wild boars destroying farmland. “Crops have no value, labour costs keep rising and wild boars ruin our fields,” said Unni, a local farmer.The campaign narratives of candidates reflect these ground realities. Rajesh has highlighted infrastructure, education and irrigation projects undertaken during his tenure. Balram has focused on what he calls stalled projects and the MLA’s lack of accessibility to the public. Rajesh said development forms the core of his campaign. “We built 22 school buildings through KIIFB funds, a new block for Thrithala Govt College and the Kankapuzha regulator-cumbridge across the Bharathapuzha—a demand pending for nearly 50 years. The Rs 107 crore project benefits both transportation and irrigation,” he said, adding that the constituency had poor infrastructure when he assumed office. Balram, however, said public anger against the LDF govt would be reflected in the results. “The MLA was nowhere to be seen when people needed him. To cover up the govt’s failures, he is trying to project this as a one-toone fight through PR campaigns,” he said. He also alleged that several projects initiated during his tenure had stalled, including the govt college, which has not added a single new course in five years. Regardless of the outcome, residents have a clear list of demands for whoever wins—better roads, farmer support programmes and skilled employment opportunities within the constituency.Among those raising local concerns is Jayaraman E, chief priest of the Erattingal temple, who claims descent from Pakkanar of the Parayipetta Panthirukulam legend. “Despite being one of Kerala’s iconic temples, this land has no pattayam. We will raise this with the candidates,” he said.
