. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Kalpetta, one of three municipalities in the hilly district of Wayanad, is emerging as a crucial electoral battleground for the rival fronts — the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) — in the upcoming local body elections.
Control of the civic body has oscillated between the UDF and the LDF, often triggered by a realignment of political forces within coalitions. A significant factor was the shift in loyalties of the former state unit of the Janata Dal (United States), now the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
The civic association has traditionally favored the UDF because of the demographic advantage the Congress has in the urban region. However, the party is currently beset by internal problems and may therefore struggle to win a mandate.
At the same time, the LDF is waging an aggressive campaign to regain what it sees as its former political stronghold.
While the resignation of District Congress Committee (DCC) president ND Appachan has offered a temporary truce between the warring factions in the party, problems in the Congress unit remain a major focus in the pre-election debates, which many believe could be detrimental to the party.
A string of suicides
A string of suicides, including that of DCC treasurer NM Vijayan, his son and Mullankolly grama panchayat member Jose Nelledam, along with widespread allegations of corruption in Congress-run cooperatives and the alleged involvement of senior leaders, have seriously dented the confidence the party enjoys in the people.
Kalpetta was an LDF stronghold since its inception in 1990 until the UDF captured it in 2010. The UDF has remained in power for the past 15 years except for more than three years when the Janata Dal (United) jumped ship in 2016.
The position of mayor has been uncertain over the past 10 years, during which it has changed six times. Although the UDF won the civic body in 2015, the joy was short-lived. Congress, JD(U) and CPI(M) shared the post of chairman during this term.
In 2020, the UDF came to power again and the post of chairman was given to Mujeeb Keyamthody of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on an agreement that it would be handed over to the Congress after two and a half years.
candidate for president
However, the Congress remained undecided on its presidential candidate, with both TJ Isaac and P. Vinod Kumar throwing their hats, resulting in Mr. Keyamthodi completing three years in the presidency before stepping down in 2024. Mr. Isaac, who replaced him, also resigned recently after being appointed as DCC President, paving the way for Mr. “Vinod Kumar” for ten days.
The UDF is confident that its welfare measures and development activities over the last five years could easily help it retain Kalpetta. “We have provided free drinking water for all and taken a giant leap in waste management,” said new chairman Vinod Kumar.
However, the LDF plans to take advantage of the “lack of unity” in the Congress.
Published – 06 Nov 2025 20:49 IST
