District Collector Dineshan Cheruvatt inspects the media center at the District Information Office in Idukki Collectorate on Friday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
All the major fronts in Idukki are expecting a landslide victory in the local body elections, the results of which are scheduled to be held on Saturday.
While the United Democratic Front (UDF) hopes to regain its stronghold, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) expects to continue its electoral victory in the district in 2020. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) hopes to deepen its influence and take over the administration of several panchayats. Three political parties based in Tamil Nadu are also expected to win some seats.
Currently, of the 52 panchayats in Idukki, 28 are with the LDF, 22 with the UDF-led Congress and one with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The UDF is in charge of two municipalities: Kattappana and Thodupuzha. Initially, the LDF came to power in Thódupuz with the support of a Congress rebel, but in 2024, the UDF returned to power after moving a no-confidence motion. The LDF controls the district panchayat.
“Strong Influence”
Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) district secretary CV Varghese has claimed that the party will win more seats than in 2020 local polls in the district. “This time the LDF will show strong influence in grama panchayats, block panchayats and municipalities in Idukki,” said Mr. Varghese.
The UDF has shown the importance it attaches to the elections by fielding senior leaders like former MLA EM Augusta as candidates, UDF leaders said.
UDF district president Jo Vettikkuzhi said that the front is expecting a big victory of the 2010 model this time. “Now the Congress has built a stronger base in the district and that will reflect in the elections,” said Mr. Vettikkuzhi.
The BJP has also raised its hopes for the local polls. The party’s southern district president VC Varghese said the BJP, unlike other fronts, had fielded the maximum number of candidates for the party’s official symbol. “We expect a big victory in the local polls,” he said.
TN based parties
The all-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), all parties based in Tamil Nadu, have fielded candidates this time and expect success in several seats, especially with the support of plantation workers of Tamil origin.
Meanwhile, District Collector Dineshan Cheruvatt said that the district administration has completed all arrangements for counting the votes. “A total of 10 enumeration centers have been set up in the district. As many as 2,000 officials have been deployed for the enumeration process and 1,500 policemen have been deputed for security. “In order to give timely information about the enumeration, a media center has been set up at the district information office,” said Mr. Cheruvatt.
Published – 12 Dec 2025 20:24 IST
