Debutant faces veterans in Ponnurunni East poll battle

An interesting battle is under way in the Ponnurunni East division of the Kochi Corporation, where the Left Democratic Front (LDF) has not tasted defeat in over four decades.

The United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate, Jain Gray, contesting on the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) ticket, had won the division as a CPI(M) candidate two decades ago, whereas the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, Sunitha Dixon, had won the neighbouring Vyttila division as an RSP candidate in 2020 before switching to the saffron party just ahead of this election.

Ms. Gray says that her shift from the LDF to the UDF cannot be described as a political switch, considering she has not been a CPI(M) member for more than a decade since her lone electoral victory in 2005, whereafter she was preoccupied with raising her child. “But the contacts I built all those years ago seem to be intact, as people keep asking me why I took such a long break during my household visits.

The much-hailed decentralised waste management system of converting waste into manure was launched in the division during my tenure, since the Brahmapuram plant was yet to be commissioned then, though it was branded as Heal Ponnurunni by the LDF councillor during the last term,” she said.

Beena Divakaran, LDF candidate, canvassing votes.
| Photo Credit:
R.K. Nithin

Ms. Dixon, a three-time councillor from the neighbouring Vyttila division, contested her first election as a Congress candidate in 2010, as an Independent in 2015, and then on the RSP ticket, a UDF ally, in 2020.

She had been at odds with both the RSP and the broader UDF ever since she delayed stepping down as chairperson of the works standing committee, contrary to an agreement with the Congress to share the post during the last council’s term. Ms. Dixon refused to step down, asserting that no such agreement existed. In response, the Congress moved a no-confidence motion against her. Subsequently, both the RSP and the Congress filed an election petition accusing her of violating the party whip. Anticipating disqualification, Ms. Dixon eventually resigned in April 2024.

She justified her switch to the BJP but argued that it mattered little. “In local body polls, individuals matter, not the party. I haven’t had to explain my change of party to anyone. Besides, my work in the neighbouring Vyttila division is known to the people of Ponnurunni East as well. Roads and stinky drains, which cause the proliferation of mosquitoes, need improvement. Central funds should be used to cover those drains so that people are at least spared the foul smell invading their households,” said Ms. Dixon.

NDA candidate Sunitha Dixon meeting a voter.
| Photo Credit:
R.K. Nithin

Though a debutant in the electoral arena, what gives the CPI(M) candidate, Beena Divakaran, confidence is the historic dominance of the party and the LDF in the division over the years. Actively associated with the women’s forum and the Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham, she expects nothing short of victory, going by what she describes as the positive response she has been receiving during household visits.

Among Ms. Divakaran’s priorities are a skill development centre and open gym for women, a playground for the young, recreational space for the elderly, smart anganwadis, development of roads, addressing waterlogging, and implementation of the city gas project.