Kasaragod, Kerala’s northern gateway and ‘Saptha Bhasha Sangamam Bhoomi’, is heading to the assembly polls on April 9 in a tight three-cornered contest. The UDF-led Muslim League Union of India faces a strong challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party, while the Communist Party of India-backed Independent Party (Marxist) adds a third angle. UDF’s Kallatra Mahin Haji is banking on legacy, BJP’s Ashwini ML is pushing for development and LDF-backed Shanavas Padhoor is targeting grassroots voters. Key issues include healthcare gaps, dependency on Mangaluru, endosulfan concerns and language rights.
