In a battle between candidates familiar to all, Thomas Chazhikkadan of the Kerala Congress (M) secured a majority of over one lakh votes in Kottayam. While Chazhikkadan polled 4,21,046 votes, his rival V N Vasavan of the CPM secured 3,14,787 votes. The margin was 1,06,259 votes. NDA’s P C Thomas, who finished third, received 1,55,135 votes.
UDF had given Chazhikkadan, a former MLA, the task of retaining the seat that had been captured by Kerala Congress vice-chairman Jose K Mani. Meanwhile, the CPM fielded its district secretary Vasavan. The plan was to repeat a victory which had been eluding the party after Suresh Kurup won from Kottayam four times.
NDA aimed to put up a show similar to the one in the 2004 elections in Muvattupuzha. In that poll, P C Thomas had won, to the consternation of both the LDF and UDF. Thomas was again the NDA’s candidate in Kottayam.
However, the poll outcome reflected the reality that Kottayam district hosts the headquarters of the NSS and that it is a stronghold of various chuches. Over the years, Kottayam, which has UDF forts like Puthuppally and Pala, has gone to the Left only on six occasions. Of the 16 Lok Sabha elections held so far, 10 have witnessed victories by UDF candidates.
During the last Assembly polls, five of the seven seats under the Kottayam Lok Sabha constituency elected UDF MLAs. The seats are Kottayam, Puthuppally, Pala (Now vacant), Kaduthuruthy and Piravom. LDF won in Vaikom and Ettumanur.
The present Kottayam Lok Sabha constituency was formed in 2008 and Jose K Mani emerged victorious in 2009 and 2014. His margins were 71,570 and 1,20,599 respectively. In 2014, Jose K Mani secured 4,24,194 votes, Mathew T Thomas of Janata Dal (S) 3,03,595 votes and Independent supported by NDA Noble Mathew 44,357 votes.
As Sabarimala temple is situated in the neighbouring district, the issue of women’s entry was a hot topic in Kottayam also during the elections. Another issue was the fall in prices of rubber. Meanwhile, the Christian community was up in arms against the proposed Church Act.
With a former MP and two ex-MLAs in the fray, the electoral scene in Kottayam carried its own dignity. UDF stressed on the acceptability of Chazhikkadan, a four-time MLA from Ettumanur. His personal contacts too came in handy for the front. It was during the campaign period that Kerala Congress chairman K M Mani passed away. Incidentally, the sympathy wave created following his demise helped bring together all the divided factions within the party. The development works carried out by Jose K Mani during his two terms as MP also attracted votes to the UDF.
LDF aimed to capitalize on Vasavan’s track record as former MLA from Kottayam and his personal contacts as CPM district secretary. Meanwhile, NDA felt that P C Thomas could attract votes in addition to those from BJP supporters.
CPM had taken over the seat from alliance partner Janata Dal blaming it for putting up a poor show in the 2014 polls. During the initial phase, the main campaign plank of the LDF in Kottayam was the factionalism in Kerala Congress. However, when P J Joseph expressed his support for Mani, the Left’s chances dimmed.
