The small electorate of fewer than 20,000 makes the battle for the 26-member Koothattukulam municipality a tricky affair, as narrow victory margins leave little breathing space for either the Left Democratic Front (LDF) or the United Democratic Front (UDF), while the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) remains a marginal player.
Adding to the uncertainty are frequent political switches in search of greener pastures, which have prevented either front from completing its term since Koothattukulam was elevated to a municipality. The UDF won the majority in the maiden municipal elections in 2015 but ceded ground to the LDF for nearly two years at the end of the term, when two independent candidates, who had won as Congress rebels, crossed over. The LDF was on the receiving end in the following term, when CPI(M) councillor Kala Raju rebelled and switched to the UDF, becoming chairperson for the last few months.
Despite these setbacks, both fronts remain confident of wresting power in the upcoming election. Within the LDF, CPI(M) is contesting 19 seats, CPI six seats, and Kerala Congress (Mani) one seat. The Congress has fielded candidates in 22 seats, while the Jacob and Joseph factions of the Kerala Congress are contesting three and one seats respectively under the UDF banner. In the NDA, the BJP is contesting 19 seats and the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena just one, leaving six seats vacant.
“We are confident of securing a clear majority on the strength of our corruption-free governance over the past five years. The District Planning Committee had cleared projects worth ₹23 crores for the ongoing fiscal, which we could not complete due to the fiasco involving Kala Raju in the last few months. The people are aware of this and will vote us back into power,” said P.B. Ratheesh, area committee secretary, Koothattukulam.
The CPI(M) alleges that Ms. Raju switched sides after facing corruption charges related to a loan taken by a Kudumbashree unit. The party has fielded Deepa Shaji, a Community Development Society chairperson originally affiliated with the UDF, as its candidate from Ward 20. According to CPI(M), she changed sides after being angered by the UDF’s support for Ms. Raju in the alleged loan scam.
Regi John, Koothattukulam mandalam president of the Congress, dismissed the allegation, claiming that Ms. Raju approached the UDF disheartened by the denial of justice within her party. “The LDF effectively ruled the municipality for nearly seven years, including the two years they were in power during the previous term, but they have nothing to show for it. We are contesting this election by highlighting the murder of democratic values, hooliganism, and police bias witnessed during the no-confidence motion the UDF moved against the LDF last year. The LDF lured our members in the past, but we never resorted to abduction to counter it,” he said.
UDF wrests power in Koothattukulam, Kala Raju elected chairperson
Ms. Raju was allegedly abducted by CPI(M) workers while on her way to vote in favour of the no-confidence motion against the LDF.
The NDA, which is yet to open its account in the municipality, left six seats uncontested after failing to find suitable women candidates. “We are hopeful in at least four wards, including the one contested by Roy Abraham, who had previously won as a Congress rebel and served as chairperson with LDF backing,” said N.K. Vijayan, district committee member of the BJP.
Published – November 22, 2025 11:55 am IST
