Palakkad election battle escalates with new entrants, BJP-CPI(M) ‘deal’ row

Palakkad was among the unlikeliest constituencies in Kerala to take centre stage when the election was announced. Yet, within days, it turned into the epicentre of the first major political controversy of the campaign, the Congress’ allegation of a “deal” between the CPI(M) and the BJP.

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The charge has dominated the narrative, but on the ground, the more striking picture is of two first-time candidates taking on a seasoned BJP face in this border constituency, adding a layer of unpredictability to an already high-stakes contest.

Second bid in Palakkad

The Federal met Sobha Surendran, the BJP candidate in Palakkad, at a special school for differently abled children in Pirayiri panchayat, where she was interacting with students and staff as part of her campaign.

This marks her second attempt in Palakkad as an Assembly candidate after her 2016 outing, when she delivered a breakthrough performance by pushing her party and alliance to the second position for the first time in the constituency’s history. Over the years, she has built a reputation for drawing significant vote shares across contests, whether in the Palakkad Lok Sabha segment in 2014, the Kazhakkoottam Assembly election in 2021, or the Alappuzha Lok Sabha election in 2024.

“This is the first time I am contesting from an A-class constituency,” she said, referring to the BJP’s internal classification based on winnability. “Now I am running to win, and I am confident of victory. I am rooting for the farmers and the downtrodden here. I will not be just an MLA who depends on state funds, but a representative who can channelise substantial Union government resources for the development of the constituency,” Sobha tells The Federal.

BJP-LDF ‘secret deal’ under lens

Yet, even as the BJP sharpens its campaign around winnability and development, the political discourse in Palakkad has been overshadowed by the contentious allegation raised by the Congress-led UDF about a tacit understanding or “deal” between the BJP and the CPI(M)-led LDF.

The allegation has been repeatedly amplified by UDF leaders, who argue that the LDF’s choice of candidate, a businessman from the minority community, points to a strategic convergence between the two rivals. According to them, this move is aimed at splitting the minority vote, which has largely remained with the Congress over at least the last three elections.

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“Their choice of candidate clearly suggests a secret deal between the BJP and the LDF. This is not confined to Palakkad alone,” alleged Congress general secretary KC Venugopal.

Congress’ celebrity candidate

The Congress faced a difficult reset in Palakkad after being embroiled in the controversy surrounding Rahul Mamkootathil. Mamkootathil, the sitting MLA elected in the 2024 by-election following Shafi Parambil’s move to the Lok Sabha, faced multiple sexual harassment cases and even went to prison.

The party eventually zeroed in on TV comedian and actor Ramesh Pisharody as its candidate, a choice many viewed as unlikely, though party insiders say it was strongly backed by Shafi himself. Pisharody, known widely for his work in cinema and television, has added star power to the race. His campaign, marked by visibility and public engagement, is expected to resonate particularly with younger voters, even as questions remain about the electoral weight of his candidacy in a high-stakes contest.

LDF’s new face

The CPI(M) introduced its candidate, NMR Razack, almost from nowhere, reshaping the contours of the contest. The coming of Razack, a hotelier, known for his Ravuther Biriyani, who rose from a humble background and is widely familiar in the town, added a new dimension to the race.

Even though his presence triggered the controversy, towards the second phase of the campaign, his candidature appears to have turned into a significant find for the Left in this election. A relative outsider with a modest educational background, he has quickly built momentum through a grounded and direct campaign style. His ability to connect with ordinary voters, combined with a clear articulation of political positions ranging from local governance to international issues, has made him a standout presence for the LDF in the recent elections in Palakkad.

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“Though I did not pursue formal education beyond high school, I read extensively, and that is how I keep track of global developments. One has to be politically aware as well. I have been left-leaning from the beginning, and that is where my politics come from, whether it is the Palestine issue or local concerns,” Razack told The Federal.

CPI(M) seizes the moment

Razack’s sharp take on the Iran conflict and the tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, including his criticism of what he described as a drift in India’s foreign policy, went viral across television and social media, tapping into wider anxieties over the unfolding West Asia crisis.

CPI(M) campaigners quickly seized on this, contrasting it with Ramesh Pisharody’s earlier remarks on the Gaza bombings, which were seen as apolitical. The comparison became a talking point in the campaign, eventually prompting Pisharody to clarify his position and denounce Israel’s actions in Gaza.

The CPI(M) has been treading cautiously in Palakkad, encouraged by signs of improvement in the recently concluded local self-government elections. After finishing third in successive elections, the party managed to regain the second position in the local body polls, overtaking the BJP.

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“Since 2016, we slipped to the third position, our vote count had dropped to around 36,000 to 38,000, while Congress secured over 54,000 votes in the by-election. Now, in the LSG polls, we have climbed back to the second position with around 44,000 votes, which is a significant jump. The BJP is a spent force now. With Razack, who can also attract non-party votes, we stand a fair chance to challenge the UDF. If the early phase of the campaign is any indication, we are on track to win the election,” says CP Pramod, CPI(M) leader who was their candidate in the 2021 Assembly elections.

Shifting voter loyalties

According to the party estimates, in the last four Assembly elections, including the recent by-election, minority votes were largely consolidated in favour of the Congress, with outfits such as the SDPI extending support.

This time, however, there are indications that the SDPI’s support may be shifting towards the LDF, if sources are to be believed. Such a move, if it holds, could lend weight to the claims made by CPI(M) leaders about changing voter alignments in the constituency.

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Palakkad municipality, along with Pirayiri, Mathur and Kannadi panchayats, constitutes the constituency. The municipality has been a BJP stronghold, while Pirayiri usually delivers a huge lead for the Congress. Kannadi and Mathur panchayats have traditionally leaned towards the CPI(M), though with relatively smaller margins.

In the latest LSG elections, the BJP’s dominance in the municipality weakened, while the CPI M’s vote share in Pirayiri saw a significant jump, nearly doubling.

In many ways, Palakkad now reflects how Kerala’s politics is changing, with personalities, narrative fights and shifting voter loyalties making what was once a predictable contest far more uncertain.