Kerala local body polls: A battle for legacy, relevance, and political survival in Kottayam

By Admin

04 Dec, 2025

If there is one element that gives every election in Kottayam its unmistakable political flavour, it is the unending duel between the rival Kerala Congress factions. Born decades ago as a splinter of the Indian National Congress, the Kerala Congress has survived countless splits, mergers, ideological shifts, and generational reshuffles. Yet, its influence over the Catholic heartland of Central Travancore remains remarkably intact   a fact reflected time and again in the seats its factions secure in every election cycle.

As Kottayam enters the final leg of campaigning for the local body polls, the spotlight once again turns to the classic Joseph–Mani showdown. This time, the clash is not merely about seats or alliances; it is a battle fought for legacy, relevance, and political survival.

The Battle Lines: Joseph vs. Mani

In this election, the Joseph faction aligned with the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is contesting in 7 out of the 23 district panchayat divisions. On the other side, the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) has gone a step further, allotting nine divisions to the KC(M) led by Jose K. Mani. This sets up five direct face-offs between the two Kerala Congress factions   a political duel that once again defines the district’s narrative.

LDF’s Surgical Strategy to Protect Its Fortress

For the LDF, defending Kottayam is crucial. The district, historically anti-Left in its voting tendencies, has been steadily turning into a dependable red bastion. The numbers speak for themselves: of the 71 grama panchayats in Kottayam, the LDF governs 50, leaving just 18 with the UDF and 3 with the NDA.

Their strategy this election is sharp and calculated   generous seat-sharing with KC(M), deep incursions into former UDF strongholds, and a focused attempt to build momentum ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. With control of 10 out of 11 block panchayats and a strong grip on the district panchayat, the LDF knows that retaining Kottayam strengthens its broader state-wide narrative of expansion and consolidation.

UDF’s Quest for Revival

For the UDF, Kottayam is the epicentre of its political comeback plan. The coalition began preparing early: appointing a Catholic leader to head the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, fixing internal frictions with allies such as the KC and the Indian Union Muslim League, and reconstructing a collaborative organisational structure. But whether this extensive groundwork will translate into votes remains the key question this election season.

The UDF continues to hold influence in four of the six municipalities in the district, though only one block panchayat remains under its control. A strong performance in Kottayam could offer the coalition a much-needed psychological and electoral boost.

NDA’s Quiet but Ambitious Push

Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the BJP, is making a silent yet ambitious attempt to grow in Kottayam   a region traditionally dominated by Christian voters. Despite national-level controversies surrounding attacks on Christians in parts of North India, the BJP is pushing hard to build trust locally.

Their strategy is visible in the selection of young Catholic candidates, aggressive outreach in plantation belts, and renewed energy following its merger with P.C. George’s Janapaksham ahead of the last parliamentary elections. The NDA currently controls three grama panchayats a small but significant foothold in a politically challenging landscape.

A High-Stakes Election for All Sides

As the final votes draw near, Kottayam stands at the centre of Kerala’s political theatre. For the LDF, it is about defending a hard-won fortress. For the UDF, it is about reclaiming lost ground and proving that early preparations can deliver results. For the NDA, it is about expanding influence in previously impenetrable zones.

Above all, for the rival Kerala Congress factions, the battle is an ongoing contest for identity, leadership, and survival. No matter which way the results go, one thing is clear: in Kottayam, elections are never just elections   they are chapters in a decades-long saga of shifting loyalties, enduring legacies, and unending political rivalry.