In the Kalamassery Assembly constituency, the battle for prestige is taking place this time. While for Industries Minister and CPI(M) candidate P. Rajeev, the April 9 election is all about retaining the seat and position, for his key rival, VE Abdul Gafoor of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), it is a fight to regain political legacy.
In its short history of 15 years, the largely suburban and industrial constituency in Ernakulam district sided with the UDF-led Congress twice before Mr. Rajeeve breached what had been a League stronghold in 2021. VK Ebrahim Kunju of IUML represented the constituency for 10 years and won the first two elections in 20116.
He was the Public Works Minister in the Oommen Chandy-led UDF government from 2011 to 2016. Before that, he was the MLA of the then Mattancherry constituency from 2001 to 2011. Kunju’s stature and in turn the fortunes of the UDF in the constituency he was arrested while flying over Palarivattom 2020. Kunju defeated CPI(M)’s K Chandran Pillai and AM Yousaf in Kalamasery in 2011 and 2016 respectively.
Although the UDF fielded his son Gafoor as its candidate for Kalamassera in 2021, he could not resist the Left wave and overcome the corruption allegations that tarnished his father’s image.
This time, Mr. Gafoor has returned to the electoral picture less than three months after the death of his father. While Mr Rajeeve is seeking re-election based on his performance as Minister of Industries and Development and Social Initiatives in the constituency, the UDF is pinning its hopes on the perceived anti-government sentiment in the state and a wave of sympathy in favor of Mr Gafoor. A key survey plan from the UDF camp looks to evoke memories of Mr. Kunju as an effective minister and a victim of revenge politics.
The Kalamassery segment was carved out of the old Aluva constituency with parts of Paravoor and erstwhile Vadakkekkara constituencies. The segment includes Alangad, Kadungalloor, Kunnukara and Karumalur grama panchayats besides Eloor and Kalamassery municipalities. Eloor is the only municipality that stood with the LDF in Ernakulam district in the 2025 elections amid a UDF movement across local bodies.
The BJP-led NDA’s performance in the constituency fluctuated during the elections. While BJP’s P Krishnadas could get only 6.4 per cent votes in 2011, BDJS, a key ally of the saffron party, could increase its vote share to 15.6 per cent in 2016 as V Gopakumar ran as the NDA candidate. However, the NDA’s vote share plummeted to 7.2% in 2021 when PS Jayaraj contested on a BDJS ticket. MP Binu was deployed by BDJS this time.
Published – 23 March 2026 20:38 IST
