Attingal is without doubt one of the 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala. (Shutterstock)
The constituency will vote within the second part of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on April 26 and outcomes of the polls can be declared on June 4
Attingal is without doubt one of the 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala that includes seven meeting segments — Varkala, Attingal, Chirayinkeezhu, Nedumangad, Vamanapuram, Aruvikkara, and Kattakkada. The sitting MP is Congress’ Adoor Prakash whereas these within the fray this 12 months together with Prakash are V Muraleedharan of BJP and V Pleasure of CPM. The constituency will vote within the second part of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on April 26 and outcomes of the polls can be declared on June 4.
Political Dynamics
- Benefit BJP? If there may be any LS seat the place BJP is in placing distance of a win in Kerala, it’s Attingal. The seat was received by Adoor Prakash of the Congress in 2019, snatching it away from the CPM for the primary time since 1989. But when on-ground studies and opinion polls are to be believed, Prakash is going through a tricky time on this election. A Manorama Information-VMR survey has predicted lifeless warmth within the constituency between UDF and LDF. Whereas the race is principally between UDF and LDF, BJP may emerge as a wildcard. The saffron get together is more than likely to extend its vote share tally by at the very least 2-4 per cent. Attingal, like many different parliamentary constituencies in Kerala, has a mixture of hills, midlands, and coastal areas, and poses fairly a problem for candidates to succeed in out to the individuals to hunt votes.
- Adoor Prakash Appears Weak: The incumbent MP was not very lively in campaigning till a couple of days in the past. Studies point out that Prakash was not eager to contest the Lok Sabha elections earlier, as he wished a ticket for the 2026 meeting elections. Prakash was lastly satisfied to contest by the AICC management. Nevertheless, his marketing campaign has up to now been restricted to roadshows. Prakash can also be going through anti-incumbency within the constituency. If on-ground studies are to be believed, there’s a very excessive likelihood that Prakash will see large erosion to his slim majority of nearly 38,000 votes in 2019. The large query is the place these votes would go.
- Stress on Prakash: UDF has been claiming that Prakash was an lively MP, highlighting how he requested the best variety of questions within the Lok Sabha. He’s additionally credited with some improvement initiatives just like the organising of excessive mast lights in Muthalapozhi harbour, promotion of the Varkala–Sivagiri tourism circuit and institution of a brand new ESI hospital in Navaikulam. Nevertheless, the LDF has been criticising the MP, calling his contributions superficial. Additionally they allege that Prakash has been largely absent from the constituency. Prakash has additionally confronted criticism that many initiatives haven’t been accomplished. By the way, Prakash isn’t a local of Attingal, having beforehand been an MLA from Konni for 5 phrases. Congress is handicapped by a really weak organisational system in Attingal. There’s criticism that the cadre are working with voters lists in lots of areas which might be over 10 years outdated. In 2019, the Sabarimala problem had polarised voters within the constituency towards the Left. However the profit had not gone to BJP. As an alternative, it was Prakash who benefited, and pulled off a slim win. However this time round, there is no such thing as a such emotive problem serving to him. Studies point out that the voters of Attingal are clearly voting on the premise of improvement and/or religious-political affiliations this time. Congress finds itself in a bind with only a few communities that it might declare the captive votes of. Finally, Prakash can solely hope that the numerous anti-incumbency towards the Left authorities, and a polarisation of minority votes in his favour will help him scrape via.
- Muslims Votes Maintain Key: Attingal has a big Muslim inhabitants of round 14 per cent as per the 2011 census. Likelihood is that this determine has elevated additional within the intervening decade. Areas like Varkala, Nedumangad and Chirayinkeezhu have giant Muslim populations. Studies point out {that a} main chunk of this vote would go to Prakash. Nevertheless, there are additionally indications {that a} small portion will swing in direction of the LDF’s candidate V Pleasure. The SDPI has introduced its help for the UDF for the upcoming elections. The hardline-Muslim outfit, with hyperlinks to Standard Entrance, has a small footprint in Attingal. In 2019, it had polled round 5,000 votes. However extra importantly, many extra voters are related to SDPI clandestinely, and infrequently vote en masse for Congress or Left relying on the state of affairs. One other attention-grabbing issue is the long-term recreation plan of former Congress MLA Varkala Kahar. Kahar had been defeated by V Pleasure in 2016 meeting elections. Studies point out that Kahar is now very eager to get Pleasure elected to the LS (on the expense of Prakash), in order that he himself can have the higher hand when a by-election is introduced in Varkala which Pleasure represents. Kahar has a big sway over Muslim voters in Varkala.
- BJP In Placing Distance: The presence of MoS V Muraleedharan within the fray has made the outcome unpredictable in Attingal. On-ground studies point out that the BJP’s election work has been exemplary, with booth-level interventions. There’s a excessive likelihood that the BJP will higher its tally of two.48 lakh votes that Sobha Surendran had received in 2019. The hole between Sobha and Prakash was round 1.5 lakh votes. This time, anti-incumbency towards Prakash and the LDF authorities i.e. V Pleasure, may find yourself serving to the BJP in a giant manner. Locals strongly consider that if he wins, Muraleedharan is certain to get a cupboard berth in Modi 3.0. Additionally, he’s seen as a much less of a hardliner than Sobha, which may entice some Christian votes his manner. Muraleedharan’s marketing campaign on the bottom has additionally been excessive profile, with high leaders like Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar visiting the world. The cadre energy of the BJP can also be very robust, and studies say campaigning has been scientific. Muraleedharan has additionally made it a degree to be seen as somebody who is able to present options for the problems of locals. For instance, he not too long ago visited a colony within the space which was not getting piped water connection. He promised to make sure that water provide for the 30 households dwelling there could be the primary file he indicators as MP. Muraleedharan had misplaced the 2016 meeting elections from the close by meeting constituency of Kazhakkottam. Since then, he has made it a degree that he stays seen on the spherical within the Thiruvananthapuram space. Muraleedharan, regardless of being a Union minister, has at all times concerned himself in Kerala’s affairs. As deputy to Sushma Swaraj and S Jaishankar, he has been a saviour for Malayalis every time they wanted assist overseas.
- A Vote for ‘Muraliyettan’: Apparently, Muraleedharan’s safety deposit for the Attingal struggle was paid by college students whom the Centre repatriated to Kerala from war-torn Ukraine in 2023. Muraleedharan has additionally earned goodwill over his profitable efforts to deliver again three younger males who have been trapped by a recruiting company to struggle in Russia. Two of them belong to Anchuthengu in Attingal. The perspective in direction of BJP additionally appears to have undergone a big change within the space. On-ground studies point out that numerous voters have benefited from central schemes. There are a lot of takers for Mudra loans, and with some components of the Lok Sabha being agricultural belts, there are various beneficiaries of the farmer pensions being paid by the Modi authorities.
- Pleasure of Attingal: For the CPM, recapturing Attingal has grow to be a status problem. Attingal had beforehand elected a number of CPM veterans like Susheela Gopalan, A Sampath and Varkala Radhakrishnan. That’s why it has fielded V Pleasure who’s each Varkala MLA and the Thiruvananthapuram district secretary. Pleasure has already accomplished two rounds of campaigning within the constituency. For lengthy a Left bastion, Attingal additionally has robust cadre to make sure that CPM can attain out to voters in each sales space. As district secretary, Pleasure has full management over the marketing campaign actions. Though the 2019 election had seen Prakash win, within the 2021 state meeting elections, the Left had swept all seven meeting segments in Attingal. In reality, the CPM victory margin in a few of the meeting seats was big — Attingal (approx. 31,000 votes), Chirayinkeezhu (approx. 24,000 votes) and Kattakada (approx. 23,000 votes). This has lent coronary heart to the CPM cadre, who consider they will snatch the constituency from Prakash with only a little bit of effort. Pleasure has the benefit of seven MLAs campaigning and standing in for him in varied contact programmes. Pleasure has been at pains to focus on Congress, saying it’s a celebration that can’t be trusted. He has questioned the Congress’ stand on points just like the Citizenship Modification Act, with an intention to woo away the Muslim voters from Prakash. V Pleasure has accused the Congress of a secret understanding with the BJP. Pleasure can also be not too far off the mark in highlighting how there have been numerous defections from Congress to BJP. Prakash has been struggling to defend towards the claims by a BJP chief that the get together cadre had voted him to energy in 2019 to stop the CPM from profitable.
- Age Only a Quantity? At solely 58, Pleasure can also be youthful than different two candidates within the fray. Prakash is touching 70 and V Muraleedharan is 65. Pleasure’s marketing campaign has been very vigorous. As an area, Pleasure is aware of the constituency just like the again of his hand, having been the president of Azhoor Panchayat and Chirayinkeezhu Block Panchayat earlier than. Nevertheless, V Pleasure should deal with a severe anti-incumbency wave sweeping the state towards the state authorities. Many citizens have been questioning why the federal government has failed to handle fundamental points like compensation for households who will lose properties to the coastal freeway venture. Studies additionally point out that the lack of the federal government to make sure enough provides in Supplyco and Maveli shops through the Easter-Eid-Vishu season can have a big impression. On the identical time, the state authorities has been spending lavishly on programmes like Keraleeyam and the CM’s statewide Nava Kerala Sadas outreach programme. A widespread conflict had ensued final 12 months following Youth Congress protests towards the CM’s Nava Kerala Sadas. DYFI staff had focused the home of a Youth Congress chief Suhail. In retaliation, Youth Congress attacked the house of Attingal Municipal Standing Committee Chairman Najam. Battle had additionally erupted in Venjaramoodu. One other problem that might work towards V Pleasure is the Kandala Cooperative Financial institution rip-off which noticed a CPI chief and his son get arrested by the ED. Kandala is an space within the Attingal LS. Regardless of all these challenges, there’s a sense that V Pleasure stays on robust wicket and if the CPM cadre can overcome the robust anti-incumbency towards the state authorities, he has a shot at profitable.
- Caste Dynamics: Whereas it’s virtually sure that the Nair and higher caste Hindu vote can be with the saffron get together, a lot of the SC and ST votes are additionally prone to swing this fashion. Studies point out that the BJP has been in a position to make important headway into these segments via lively interventions. Muraleedharan has additionally been taking over points like the supply of medicines in authorities hospitals, entry to healthcare for SC/ST colonies and so forth. He had even trekked to a tribal colony in Kallar not too long ago to work together with locals. All three candidates within the fray are from the politically important, and probably numerically superior, Ezhava neighborhood. Subsequently, a vote break up right here might be anticipated. Nevertheless, the help of alliance associate Vellapalli Natesan’s BDJS is essential for the BJP in consolidating this vote. In 2016, BDJS candidates had eaten into the votes of UDF candidates in Varkala and Nedumangad. The non secular centre of Ezhavas, Varkala Sivagiri Madhom, falls on this constituency. Nevertheless, the entire backing of the seers of this holy centre can’t be anticipated. Studies point out that the seers are break up between backing Muraleedharan and V Pleasure, because the latter is an area. Most significantly, the BJP has been making an attempt onerous to make inroads within the Nadar neighborhood in Thiruvananthapuram district. They maintain important sway over areas like Kattakada the place the PM will marketing campaign. The Nadars are each Hindu and Christian, with the latter extra prosperous. They’ve solidly stood behind the Congress previously. Studies point out that this time, there might be a break up in Nadar votes which may assist the BJP. The Nadar Christians kind the spine of the CSI South Kerala Diocese. The Diocese Secretary TT Praveen is going through an ED probe for disproportionate property. The CSI church had not too long ago raised the problem with Thiruvananthapuram BJP candidate Rajeev Chandrashekhar and had been reassured by BJP.
- Caste Maths: The saffron get together has additionally been making an attempt very onerous to succeed in out to Latin Catholic voters in coastal fishing communities. There’s a important variety of these voters in Attingal. Studies say BJP has been guaranteeing that karyakartas are holding local-level contact programmes in fishing colonies. BJP has additionally been promising concrete actions like a scheme to supply flats to fishermen who misplaced their properties to sea erosion after Cyclone Ockhi. There are additionally proposals promised for subsidy to buy boats and to interchange current diesel engines with CNG/LNG engines. Nevertheless, the saffron get together has additionally acquired a setback with Thiruvananthapuram Latin Catholic archbishop Thomas J Netto highlighting the Manipur problem and assaults on Christians in North India. The archbishop has cited that the assaults on Christians had jumped from 147 in 2014 to 687 in 2023. Latin Catholic neighborhood hardly ever behaves as a homogenous voting bloc and mainly select between UDF and LDF. Lately, at a programme organised by Latin Catholic Diocese, coastal voters had vented their frustration at lack of transparency within the coastal freeway venture, points associated to Muthalapozhi Harbour and Blue Financial system coverage of Union authorities. One other massive demand from the church is dropping of instances registered towards those that had protested towards the Adani port at Vizhinjam.
Key Election Points
- Voter Listing Discrepancies: Attingal is going through a serious controversy surrounding voter listing discrepancies and the presence of a considerable variety of duplicate names. Prakash has raised the allegation, claiming the existence of over 1.5 lakh duplicate entries. Regardless of submitting an in depth listing of 1,72,000 suspected duplicate entries, Prakash alleges the Election Fee eliminated solely a small fraction. He additional alleges that officers are hesitant to take corrective motion attributable to strain from the federal government.
- Attingal Bypass: The long-awaited Attingal bypass venture has grow to be a degree of competition among the many three main political fronts as they vie for credit score forward of the upcoming elections. Work on the bypass is going on at report tempo. The LDF has been emphasising its position in facilitating land acquisition, whereas the UDF claims Prakash was chargeable for expediting the venture. Then again, it’s the BJP who can actually declare any severe credit score as a result of the work is being carried out by the NHAI. This scramble for credit score underscores the political significance of the venture.
- Connectivity: Connectivity to and from varied locations in Attingal stays a serious problem, which has hampered financial and industrial improvement within the constituency. The Attingal Bypass, now underneath development, had been a serious demand of the voters within the final Lok Sabha elections in 2019 and the 2021 meeting elections. The widening of NH-66 has immensely benefitted areas like Attingal city. However public transport connectivity to areas in Varkala, Vamanapuram and Aruvikkara stays low. With plans introduced to attach the Thiruvananthapuram Airport to varied components of town with a brand new metro rail, the residents of Attingal are additionally demanding metro connectivity.
- Evacuation from Ukraine: V Muraleedharan’s position in Operation Ganga, launched for the evacuation of Indians caught in Ukraine, can have its largest results in Attingal Lok Sabha constituency. As talked about earlier, a delegation of rescued college students had paid the safety deposit for Muraleedharan. His position in repatriating Anchuthengu natives caught in Russia has additionally helped construct his picture and can be essential to swing coastal voters.
- Political Violence: Face-offs between political teams have grow to be a key problem in Attingal. There have been a number of incidents involving threats and assaults on political figures and get together staff. Lately, Muraleedharan’s convoy was focused by some youth allegedly affiliated to the CPM. A CPM ward member, Biju, was attacked whereas campaigning and suffered extreme burn accidents after a person threw scorching gruel on him. Earlier there had been political violence between DYFI and Youth Congress activists within the space.
- Campus Politics: The politicisation of campuses has additionally discovered resonance within the space. JS Sidharthan, the second-year veterinary pupil who tragically handed away in February following extreme ragging by SFI college students at Pookode, belonged to Attingal. His father has been working from pillar to submit to get justice for him. There’s palpable anger towards the Left authorities over the incident, as it’s perceived to be shielding the accused. Dr GJ Shaiju, the principal of Kattakada Christian School, and SFI chief Visakh, have been suspended following allegations of doc fabrication to govern faculty elections. Each face prices together with fraud and forgery. The college has additionally barred Shaiju from duties for 5 years, and the Kerala College registrar filed a grievance prompting police motion.
- Narcotics: The rising problem of medication is a serious concern in Attingal. For one, Varkala is a serious vacationer hub and there have been a number of cases of drug busts. Muraleedharan has alleged that the drug mafia was behind the assault on an RSS employee in Kattakada on March 21. Final 12 months, a younger man known as Sreejith was crushed to loss of life in a gang struggle between drug mafia. In December, police had arrested a gang of drug peddlers who have been guarded by pitbulls.
- Varkala Tourism: Varkala is a famend vacationer vacation spot in Attingal and has seen speedy development. But it surely faces a posh set of challenges that threaten its popularity and sustainability. Whereas the Varkala seashore attracts guests with its pure magnificence and browsing alternatives, points akin to security considerations, stray canine menace, and infrastructure limitations require pressing consideration. The latest loss of life of a international vacationer whereas bodysurfing, and the collapse of a floating bridge have raised considerations about security. Lodges and eating places are on the rise, however missing correct infrastructure for waste administration, there have been a rising variety of canine assaults on guests and residents.
- Non secular Points and Conversion: The problem of Love Jihad and Narcotics Jihad have additionally discovered resonance with a few of the voters in Attingal. Church leaders have been highlighting the problem throughout Kerala. Of late, there have been indicators of accelerating friction between Muslims and Christians, a few of the antagonism additionally stems from financial and social causes.
- Stagnation of self-help teams: The decline of self-help teams (SHGs) within the coastal areas of Attingal has emerged as a urgent problem, impacting the livelihoods of 1000’s of ladies and their households. These SHGs, which have been as soon as a significant supply of earnings era and neighborhood improvement, have confronted important challenges in latest instances, resulting in their stagnation and closure. The Trivandrum Social Service Society (TSSS), chargeable for managing many of those SHGs, confronted a serious setback when the Union authorities refused to resume its allow to obtain international contributions. There’s anger amongst girls voters within the space attributable to this. The decline of SHGs has had a ripple impact on the coastal communities. The state of affairs has grow to be so dire that some girls have reportedly resorted to determined measures, akin to drug peddling to vacationers, to deal with the monetary pressure. SHGs have been a key supply of earnings of practically 20,000 girls in Attingal, producing shopper objects like pickles, jams, dry fish, and soaps.
- Lack of Industrial Growth, Unemployment and Emigration: Attingal has few main industries, and a big part of the inhabitants is reliant on both small-time agriculture or engaged on fishing boats. The event of Varkala as a serious vacationer hub has generated some employment, however not sufficient. Educated youth from Attingal should commute to close by Thiruvananthapuram or elsewhere for job alternatives. The world boasts an especially excessive literacy price of 97 per cent however the lack of industries additionally means a better price of unemployment.
- Water Disaster: Though not as pronounced as within the capital Thiruvananthapuram, many areas in Attingal are going through a water disaster. The Attingal water provide part is primary on the subject of pipe bursts — 6635 pipe bursts in three years — pointing to inefficiencies within the water distribution system. In a bid to discover a everlasting answer for the consuming water scarcity confronted by residents of Varkala and Attingal municipalities, Kerala Water Authority had promised to assemble six check-dams on Vamanapuram River. However work is much from full.
Voter Demographics
Whole Voters: 13,39,985
Rural voters: 885,730 (66.1%)
City voters: 454,255 voters (33.9%)
Social Composition (approx):
SC: 171,518 (12.8%)
ST: 16,080 (1.2%)
Non secular Composition (approx):
Hindu: 67%
Muslim: 14%
Christian: 19%
Infrastructural Growth
- Attingal Bypass: It’s a 13-kilometre stretch to bypass the congested Attingal city to develop Cherthala-Kazhakkottam hall of NH-66. It is going to begin from Kaduva Palli and re-join the prevailing stretch at Mamam simply after Attingal. This fashion commuters will be capable of keep away from the congested Attingal city altogether.
- Rail Infrastructure: The Attingal Lok Sabha constituency has witnessed notable enhancements in its railway infrastructure over latest years, enhancing passenger comfort and connectivity inside the area. Murukkampuzha station noticed a big platform-raising venture, bettering accessibility for passengers. New installations have additionally come up at Varkala, Kadakkavur, Kaniapuram, Edava, and Kappil stations. Works are ongoing at these stations on foot overbridges, sanitation and water provide amenities.
- Varkala Railway Station: The Varkala Sivagiri railway station is ready to bear a big redevelopment venture, aimed toward enhancing passenger expertise. The revamped station will prioritise security and accessibility for vacationers who flock to the Varkala city for pleasure, and in addition the pilgrims who yearly go to the Varkala Sivagiri Ashram.
- Water Remedy Plant at Aruvikkara: To boost water provide in Thiruvananthapuram, the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) is evaluating a proposal to assemble a brand new 102 MLD water therapy plant at Aruvikkara. This proposal recommends utilising funds initially allotted for a pipeline venture to construct the brand new plant which might considerably increase town’s water therapy capability.
- Varkala Seaside Growth Masterplan: The Tourism Division is formulating a complete grasp plan to develop Varkala as a serious worldwide seashore tourism hub. This plan envisions a three-phase strategy, specializing in resolving fast points like parking, pedestrian facilities, wastewater administration, and security considerations. Moreover, efforts are underway to declare Varkala as a particular tourism zone with relaxed rules to draw extra guests. The grasp plan additionally contains long-term objectives such because the conservation of the eroding Varkala cliff and securing UNESCO Geopark standing for the location.
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