Kovalam: Though they were born in Kashmir, they have been living in Kerala for years and have a special liking for the God's own state.

The Kashmiri families at Kovalam in Thiruvananthapuram are eagerly waiting to exercise their franchise in the local body polls, scheduled to be held on December 8.

They are also part of the fervent poll talks of the countryside. Over 100 Kashmiri families have settled in Kovalam for more than 30 years and are really fond of the state. They vouch that this is a land of kind people.

Most of them can speak fluently in Malayalam. They depend on the tourism sector of Kovalam for their living.

All political parties have been paying them a visit as part of campaigning. They are amicable to all. But are discreet about the voting preferences, say Kovalam Kashmiri Residents' Welfare Society president Syed Shabir Ahmad Qadri, Mukhtar and Niyas.