Tag: Kerala

Lok Sabha elections 2024: BJP’s bid for breakthrough in Kerala is an uphill battle, say experts

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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With less than 72 hours remaining before the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, all eyes are on Kerala as the state prepares to cast its votes for all 20 parliamentary seats on April 26.

In Kerala, the primary electoral battle is between the alliances led by the Congress and the Left parties. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is seeking to make significant strides, particularly in Trissur, where it has nominated popular actor Suresh Gopi as its candidate.

According to MG Radhakrishnan, a senior journalist, “Kerala is the only state in the south where the BJP has never won a single seat until now. Though there are contests in about four to five constituencies that the BJP considers to be ‘A grade constituencies’, there is a bitter fight going on between these three major political friends, but I don’t think there is any particular seat where the BJP has a very easy chance at all.”

In the 2019 elections, the Congress secured victory in 15 out of 20 seats, while the Left parties claimed two seats. Despite failing to secure any seats, the BJP garnered a notable vote share of 12%.

Political analyst Rahul Easwar notes, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to tap into the Hindu and Christian vote banks in a major way. That’s the reason why he was connecting with the Christian bishops in a very meaningful and deep manner. But unfortunately, due to the Manipur issues and all, there is some kind of a dampening that has really happened. But Narendra Modi is a hugely popular brand. Even though the BJP will increase seats, it is still doubtful how many seats will come; they may increase votes for sure, but brand Modi has a very strong presence even in Kerala because he has a pan India appeal and he has rightly reached out to Kerala many times.”

One of the most closely watched contests is in Thiruvananthapuram, where incumbent MP Shashi Tharoor faces stiff competition from prominent CPI (M) leader Panniyan Raveendran and the BJP’s Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

MG Radhakrishnan emphasises, “Thiruvananthapuram is actually the constituency where the contest is the sharpest. This is the only seat among the 20 where the BJP came in second in the last election and the election before that. So with the candidature of Rajeev Chandrasekhar, this has become a hot seat. Shashi Tharoor has already completed a hat trick here; he is trying it for the fourth time. Tharoor was absolutely formidable in the beginning, but with the entry of Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the match has become quite unpredictable.”

As Kerala braces for the upcoming elections, the political landscape remains dynamic, with key battles shaping the state’s future representation in the Lok Sabha.

Watch the accompanying video for the entire conversation

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Thiruvananthapuram Airport to suspend flight services for four hours on April 21

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Ltd (TIAL) will suspend flight services for five hours on April 21 for the smooth continuation of the holy ‘Painkuni Arattu’ procession of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple across the runway.

The flight services will be suspended from 4 pm to 9 pm on April 21, Sunday.

Every year, the airport has been pausing operations and rescheduling flights twice every year to enable the bi-annual centuries-old ceremonial procession of the shrine to pass through the runway.

The practice of the temple procession taking that path to reach the Shangumugham beach for the holy bath of the idols began centuries ago. The ritual continued even after the establishment of the airport in 1932.

When the airport was constructed at the particular place, the then Travancore King Sree Chithira Thirunal had made it clear that then facility would be open for the public for 363 days in a year and two days for Lord Padmanabha, the titular deity of the royal family, according to historians.

The royal era ritual has continued even after the Adani Group took over management of the airport.

The airport issues a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) twice every year before the runway is closed during the bi-annual Alpassi festival which falls in October-November and the Painkuni festival in March-April.

With inputs from PTI

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Kerala High Court rules Malabar ‘Parota’ to be treated as bread at 5% GST

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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In another unique case stemming from GST classification challenges, the Kerala High Court ruled that Malabar ‘Parota’ is akin to ‘bread’ and should thus be categorised under Heading 1905 for taxation purposes. The decision contradicts the previous rulings of the Authority for Advance Ruling (AAR) and  Appellate Authority for Advance Ruling (AAAR).

The Kerala High Court determined that both ‘Classic Malabar Parota’ and ‘Whole Wheat Malabar Parota’ products should be taxed at the GST rate of 5% rather than 18%, as they share similarities with items listed under HSN code 1905, such as bread.

The high court ruled that products “are eligible at the rate of 5% GST (2.5 % CGST + 2.5 % SGST) and not 18% as was being pleaded by the government, which was citing orders of the Advance Ruling Authority and the Advance Ruling Appellate Authority,” where the treatment was decided to be 18%.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh at the Kerala High Court.

Advocates M. Gopikrishnan Nambiar, K John Mathai, Joson Manavalan, Kuryan Thomas, Paulose C Abraham, Raja Kannan, R Chethan Krishna and S Parvathi appeared on behalf of the assesee, whereas Advocate P G Jayashankar and Special Government Pleader (Taxes) Muhammed Rafiq were representing the government.

The assessee, Modern Food Enterprises Pvt. Ltd, is engaged in the manufacturing and supply of food products ‘Classic Malabar Parota’ and ‘Whole Wheat Malabar Parota’ (products). The assessee had sought clarity from the authority for advance ruling on classification, rate of GST, and whether the product can be treated as ‘bread’ under GST or not.

The assessee had filed a writ, which was allowed by the Kerala High Court via observations that according to Rule 4 of the General Rules of Interpretation of the Harmonized System (GRI), the goods that cannot be classified in accordance with Rules I to III shall be classified under the Heading appropriate to the goods to which they are akin. Thus, paving the way for the product to be treated under 5%.

The high court also elaborated on the explanatory notes to HSN sub-heading 1905, which provide that the most common ingredients of the products in this heading are cereal flours, leaves, and salt but they may also contain other ingredients that facilitate fermentation and improve characteristics and appearances of the products.

The Kerala High Court further noted that the products of this heading may also be obtained from dough based on the flour of any cereal, whereas Chapter Heading 21, particularly HSN 2106, prescribes food preparation not elsewhere specified or included and assessee products or not akin to any of the products which are mentioned in Chapter Heading 2106.

The court observed that the assessee’s products are to be included in Chapter Heading 1905 as the petitioner’s products are akin to the products mentioned in the said Chapter Heading 19 and will be eligible to be taxed at the rate of 5% GST and not 18%.

Meanwhile, experts say that the ruling will help several other cases that are under litigation and are similar in nature. However, the government continues to hold the view that the Kerala High Court decision is not fair and would need more clarity.

Sandeep Sehgal, Partner-Tax, AKM Global, a tax and consulting firm, states, “This decision highlights the importance of accurate classification in tax matters, ensuring fair treatment for businesses and consumers alike. The ruling marks a victory for the petitioner in this case, and serves as a precedent for similar disputes in the future.”

“The classification rule is that the specific entry will prevail over the general entry and hence from that perspective, this is a very welcome decision. This will not only help this sector but several other sectors based on the principles formulated by this court” said Abhishek A Rastogi, founder of Rastogi Chambers, who is arguing before different Courts on classification issues.

“The intent of the GST Council was always to keep the basic necessary supplies under a lesser category of rate and this decision tilts the balance in that flavour as well,” added Rastogi.

However, rate rationalisation remains the key, and the industry will closely watch how this is done in the months ahead, Rastogi said.

Yogesh Kale, Executive Director, Nangia Andersen India said, “The Karnataka AAR had also ruled in 2020 that Whole Wheat Parota and Malabar Parota were classifiable under HSN code 2106 (the AAR ruling was held to be void-ab-initio by the AAAR due to suppression of facts by the taxpayer). The Kerala High Court ruling puts an end to the controversy over classification of Malabar Parotas, highlighting time and again the need for accurate classification, importance of the Explanatory Notes to the headings and that in case of doubt, the products must be classified under the heading to which they are most akin. The principle would also serve as a guidance in classification of other products.”

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Lok Sabha elections 2024: A SWOT analysis of the triangular contest in Kerala

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Left Democratic Front (LDF), headed by the CPI(M), and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) have dominated Kerala’s political landscape for a long time, shaping the south Indian state’s governance for decades.

However, Kerala is witnessing a triangular contest in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with the two established alliances facing a challenge from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Kerala has a total of 20 parliamentary constituencies, where polling for the 2024 elections will be held in a single phase on April 26.

During the 2019 general elections, the UDF registered victories in 19 of the 20 seats. Of these, 15 seats were won by the Congress party itself, while the rest were distributed among IUML (2), RSP (1) and KEC(M) (1). The remaining seat was taken by CPI(M), while the BJP failed to open its account in the state.

This time, a major shift towards a three-way contest is evident on several seats in the state, signalling a departure from the traditional two-party dominance.

Here’s a SWOT analysis of the three alliances in Kerala:

United Democratic Front (Congress, IUML, RSP and Kerala Congress)

1. Strengths

Despite not being in power in the state, the UDF has a strong traditional support base of minorities, who constitute 50% of the state’s total population.

During the 2019 polls, Congress ex-president Rahul Gandhi contested the Wayanand seat for the first time and registered a historic win. Backed by Gandhi’s strong presence in the state, the UDF managed to win 19 seats and is now hoping to repeat its performance in 2024.

Over the last few years, the UDF has led several protests in the state against the alleged misrule of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government in the state and the NDA government at the Centre, energising its cadre for the polls.

2. Weaknesses

In recent times, a lot of local Congress leaders have defected to the BJP in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Experts believe that the grand old party continues to rely more on Rahul Gandhi’s star power and has failed to give a greater role to charismatic leaders like Shashi Tharoor in Kerala politics. Due to this, there is also a lack of unity among several key leaders in the state.

Moreover, the Congress-led UDF has fielded just one woman candidate in the upcoming polls.

3. Opportunities

Besides the Lok Sabha elections, the UDF also has an opportunity to take advantage in the next Assembly polls in Kerala, riding high on the anti-incumbency factor against the Left government, which has been in power since 2016.

Experts say that a majority of minorities in the state believe that only the Congress can challenge the BJP on the national level. Besides this, the UDF also has the opportunity to target both the central and state governments over their alleged inaction in preventing the rising cases of human-animal conflicts.

4. Threats

Looking back at the records, the UDF has primarily failed in preventing its traditional upper-caste Hindu vote base in the state from shifting towards the BJP’s side. Along with the neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Kerala is also witnessing a strong presence of the BJP, particularly in areas like Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, and Pathanamthitta.

Left Democratic Front (CPI(M), CPI and Kerala Congress (M))

1. Strengths

The LDF has a strong cadre base in the state, especially among the youth. It is led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who has been in power in the state for over seven years now.

The alliance has been hugely successful in reaching out to minorities, particularly Muslims.

2. Weaknesses

The LDF lacks young candidates who can play an influential role in Lok Sabha polls. The alliance has also suffered a lot due to the alleged involvement of CPI(M)’s student outfit in campus violence.

Moreover, CM Vijayan and his family are currently facing a few corruption allegations from the Opposition parties.

3. Opportunities

In the 2024 polls, the UDF is going all out against the notification of the CAA rules, besides taking a stand against the Centre’s alleged neglect toward Kerala on financial matters.

4. Threats

PM Modi’s repeated visits to Kerala are giving an edge to the BJP in the state, as there is anti-incumbency against the ruling party. This comes amid alleged irregularities in the cooperative sector and related investigations by the Enforcement Directorate.

Also, there is a lot of discontent among farmers over various issues, including delays in payments for paddy procured from them.

National Democratic Alliance (BJP, BDJS)

1. Strengths

The BJP is contesting the 2024 elections under the strong leadership of PM Modi and focusing its poll campaign on various developmental works done by his government in the state.

In recent times, several key local Congress leaders have left the party and joined the BJP.

2. Weaknesses

There is a lack of trust in minorities towards the BJP, which also faces a dearth of strong state-level leadership.

The alliance performed badly in the 2021 Assembly polls and by-polls held for local bodies.

3. Opportunities

In Kerala, the BJP has a strong opportunity to raise its voice against the alleged appeasement politics of the UDF and LDF in the state.

It can further take advantage of effective diplomatic intervention of the central government to rescue Indians who were earlier trapped in conflict-hit zones like Ukraine.

4. Threats

The BJP-led NDA is not been able to get strong support from the local alliance partners in Kerala. Also, it faces charges of allegedly neglecting the state over various financial matters.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Antony vs Antony: Son, father in war of words as poll heat intensifies

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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“Very unfortunate to see a former defence minister supporting a party which has an anti-India stand,” BJP leader Anil Antony told Moneycontrol on April 9 after his comments were sought on his father and veteran Congress leader AK Antony’s statement earlier in the day.

Speaking to media persons in Thiruvananthapuram, former defence minister AK Antony said Anil, the BJP’s candidate from Pathanamthitta parliamentary seat, should lose.

The 38-year-old, who joined the BJP on April 6, 2023, is up against sitting MP and Congress leader Anto Antony.

“I have immense respect for my father, but I don’t appreciate his statement. He is standing with a party (Congress) whose leaders have insulted the sacrifice of our jawans,” Anil told Moneycontrol over the phone from Pathanamthitta, where he was canvassing.

“Instead of standing for national security and nation building, Congress leaders are always seen criticising our forces. And it’s unfortunate to see a former defence minister (my father) supporting that party.”

The former defence minister said the Congress and Rahul Gandhi were continuously fighting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP, and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

The Congress has always stood for vested interests, and its leaders supported only one family, Anil said.

The Congress has been supporting radical elements and it was for everyone to see in Pathanamthitta where the sitting MP levelled serious allegations against the BJP, claiming the party secured victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections by exploiting the sacrifices of jawans killed in the Pulwama attacks.

“My father needs to understand the gravity here. His party is giving clean chit to Pakistan with such statements,” Anil added.

He claimed that the sentiment in Kerala, where electoral success in the assembly, as well as the Lok Sabha, has eluded the party, is turning in favour of the BJP.

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Eid al-Fitr 2024 in India on April 10 or 11? Know the role of crescent moon sighting in Saudi Arabia today

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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As the day of Eid al-Fitr draws near, the nation is preparing for festivities to commemorate the completion of Ramadan, the holy month during which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. The Islamic festival is celebrated annually on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Muslim (lunar) calendar.

However, the date of the celebration depends on the visibility of the new moon. This leads Muslims in different parts of the world to celebrate the festival at different times. India, meanwhile, is all geared up to celebrate Eid al-Fitr on April 10 or 11 this year. However, the exact date is yet to be known.

It needs to be noted that the date to celebrate Eid al-Fitr might change by one or two days depending on the location as well. Therefore, the exact day will be revealed closer to the day of the festival. Meanwhile, Kerala is the only Indian state that celebrates the festival based on a sighting of the moon in Saudi Arabia.

Eid Al-Fitr 2024: Moon Sighting Date in Saudi Arabia, India

Additionally, Indian Muslims, along with those residing in South Asian countries, will gear up for the sighting of the Crescent moon on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. This year, the month of Ramadan commenced on March 11, 2024, in many countries, including those in the Middle East, North America, and the UK.

Ahead of the Islamic festival, the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia made an announcement asking Muslims to see the crescent moon for the month of Shawwal on the evening of April 8. This sighting of the moon on this particular day marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid al-Fitr.

As far as astronomical calculations are considered, Eid al-Fitr is expected to be observed on Wednesday, hinting at a 30-day fast in Ramadan instead of 29 days for Muslims this year.

If the crescent moon is not sighted in Saudi Arabia on April 8, Eid al-Fitr will be observed on April 11 and the night before Eid (Chand Raat) will be observed on April 10.

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Lok Sabha elections 2024: CAA to human-animal conflict, a look at key poll issues in Kerala

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Weeks ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the political scenario in Kerala is buzzing with debates over several key political issues, including the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) and electoral bonds, which could sway voter sentiments significantly.

Kerala has been traditionally dominated by the Left parties and Congress. The Bharatiya Janata Party is making all possible efforts to make a mark in the 2024 general elections.

The Lok Sabha elections 2024 will be held in seven phases across the country from April 19 to June 1. The counting of votes will be held on June 4.

In the southern state, voting will take place on April 26 for all the 20 parliamentary constituencies.

During the 2019 elections, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) won 19 of the 20 seats in Kerala. Out of these, 15 seats were secured by the grand old party, while the rest were bagged by its allies IUML (2), Kerala Congress(M) (1) and Revolutionary Socialist Party (1). On the other hand, the Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by the CPI(M), registered victory in only one seat, while the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) could not open its account in the state.

Here’s a look at some of the major poll issues in Kerala in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections:

1. CAA

While the BJP is expected to go all out on its promise of granting citizenship to migrants from other countries, the Opposition parties are challenging the move, calling the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, as ‘unconstitutional’. CAA has been a hot political issue in Kerala. During the discussion on the Bill after its introduction in the Lok Sabha on December 19, 2019, several MPs from the state opposed the bill while participating in the debate.

The Chief Minister has been quite vocal against the central law calling it ‘discriminatory against Muslims’ in the past. He also lashed out at Congress for not mentioning the CAA in its manifesto for Lok Sabha elections, released on April 5.

2. Human-animal conflicts

Last month, the state government declared man-animal conflict as a state-specific disaster, making Kerala the first state in the country to do so. In recent months, multiple people have lost their lives while numerous others have been injured in wildlife attacks, particularly by elephants, wild boars and tigers.

The LDF and UDF have been batting for amendments to the Wildlife Act of 1972, arguing that it is necessary to address the increasing incidents of human-animal conflicts. However, the BJP-led Central government reportedly contends that the existing provisions of the Wildlife Act are sufficient to handle the situation.

3. Electoral bonds

The Opposition parties have been targeting the BJP-led central government over the electoral bonds scheme, which was struck down by the Supreme Court earlier this year.

Much like other states, the Congress, CPI(M) and other regional parties have been raking up the issue during their poll campaigning in Kerala as well.

4. Left Front vs Congress

The CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) are two main rivals in the state, despite both belonging to the opposition alliance INDIA bloc. The ruling LDF, under the leadership of CM Pinarayi Vijayan, aims to sail through the Lok Sabha elections with its opposition to the CAA, fight against the BJP ‘communal agenda’ in the state and the development work done by the government. On the other hand, Congress is going to people as a viable alternative to the BJP at the national level. Both parties are eyeing minority votes, which could be decisive in several seats.

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Kerala Lok Sabha elections 2024: Complete list of Congress candidates

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Congress party, which is a dominant force in Kerala, is eyeing to secure the maximum number of seats in the state in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, scheduled to be held in seven phases in the country from April 19 to June 1.

Kerala is among the few states where the grand old party is still quite popular, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to gain ground.

Voting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Kerala will be conducted on April 26 across all 20 parliamentary constituencies. The counting will take place on June 4.

During the 2019 polls, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) registered a massive victory in the state, winning 19 of the 20 seats. While the Congress bagged 15 seats, the rest of the four seats were taken by its allies — IUML (2), Kerala Congress(M) (1) and Revolutionary Socialist Party (1).

The Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by the CPI(M), was restricted to just one seat, while the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) failed to open its account in the state.

Given that Rahul Gandhi is a Lok Sabha MP representing Kerala‘s Wayanad constituency, the Congress will make a major effort during the 2024 elections to retain its dominant position.

Kerala is again up for a three-way contest, with the BJP-led NDA making all possible efforts to make its presence felt. On the other hand, the LDF is also leaving no stone unturned to improve its tally this time.

Kerala Lok Sabha elections: Voting dates

In Kerala, polling for the 2024 general elections will be held in the second phase on April 26. Voting in the state will take place in a single phase across all the seats. In 2019, Kerala had registered a total voter turnout of 77.84%.

Kerala Lok Sabha elections: Total seats

Kerala has a total of 20 parliamentary constituencies. Of these, two are reserved for SC candidates, while the rest, 18, are unreserved.

Kerala Lok Sabha elections: Congress candidates

The Congress will contest 16 seats and alliance partner Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) will contest two seats and one each for RSP and Kerala Congress (J).

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Kerala Lok Sabha elections 2024: Schedule, total seats and BJP candidates

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Kerala, one of the few states where the Congress still has a strong presence, sends 20 parliamentarians to the Lok Sabha. Compared to other states, Kerala often registers higher voter turnout.

Voting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in the South Indian state across all 20 seats is scheduled for April 26, while the counting of votes will take place on June 4.

During the 2019 general elections, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) registered a landslide victory, winning 19 of the 20 seats. Of these, 15 seats were taken by the Congress, while the rest were won by other UDF members IUML (2), Kerala Congress(M) (1) and Revolutionary Socialist Party (1).

The CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) was limited to just one seat and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) drew a blank in the state.

Once again, Kerala is expected to be on the priority list for the Congress. Rahul Gandhi, the former president of the grand old party, is a Lok Sabha MP from the Wayanad constituency of the state.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leaving no stone unturned to establish its complete dominance in the 2024 elections.

This time, too, Kerala is witnessing a three-way contest between the BJP-led NDA, Congress-led UDF and the LDF.

Kerala Lok Sabha elections: Voting dates

Voting for the 2024 general elections across all the seats in Kerala will take place in the second phase on April 26. In 2019, the state registered a total voter turnout of 77.84%.

Kerala Lok Sabha elections: Total seats

Kerala ranks 12th in the list of states with the number of Lok Sabha seats. The state has 20 parliamentary constituencies, of which two seats are reserved for SC candidates. The rest, 18, are unreserved.

Kerala Lok Sabha elections: BJP candidates

The BJP couldn’t open its account in Kerala but managed a 13% vote share in the 2019 polls. This time, the saffron party has fielded a few heavyweights from Kerala to improve its performance in the state.

Here’s a list of candidates announced by the BJP in Kerala:

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Lok Sabha elections 2024: Palakkad to Wayanad, key seats in Kerala

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The 2024 Lok Sabha elections will take place in seven phases, starting on April 19 and concluding on June 1. The Election Commission of India said that the votes will be counted on June 4. Polling for Kerala’s 20 Lok Sabha seats will be held on April 26, per the schedule released on March 16. The voting in Kerala, like the previous general elections, will take place on a single day to avoid conflicts with Vishu, Thrissur Pooram and Eid-ul-Fitr.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has struggled to win any seats in the southern state, hopes for a breakthrough in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The state is one of the few that consistently supports Congress and is well-known for its strong left-leaning politics.

The United Progressive Alliance (UPA), led by the Congress, won 19 of Kerala’s 20 seats by a wide margin in 2019. The National Democratic Alliance, led by the BJP, formed a government in the Centre but was unable to win any seats there. Nonetheless, the saffron party secured almost 15% of the vote. It’s interesting to note that the Left Democratic Front (LDF), which had been in power, suffered a severe setback and only won one seat in the elections.

Here are the key seats to watch out for in Kerala:

1. Palakkad

Palakkad is a high-priority constituency for the BJP in Kerala since it is the only municipality where the BJP holds a clear majority. In 2019, Congress candidate VK Sreekandan won the seat against all odds by over 11,000 votes against the sitting Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP MB Rajesh.

Sreekantan is once again in the fray. Challenging him is A Vijayaraghavan, a member of the CPI(M) Politburo, who is married to the state’s minister of higher education, R Bindu, for the LDF. Krishnakumar, the BJP’s state general secretary, is running for Lok Sabha from Palakkad for the second time.

2. Thrissur

Actor-politician Suresh Gopi, who ran an unsuccessful campaign from Thrissur in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, is once again fighting on a BJP ticket. He will face Congress candidate K Muraleedharan, the sitting MP from Vadakara and son of the late chief minister K Karunakaran.

Muraleedharan, the four-time MP and two-time MLA, is known for winning tough contests, including the Vattiyoorkavu Assembly constituency in Thiruvananthapuram and the Vadakara Lok Sabha seat.

The majority of Christian voters in the constituency — over 30% — will be crucial in determining the outcome in this constituency.

3. Thiruvananthapuram

One of the most high-profile seats in not just Kerala but across the country, Thiruvananthapuram will see a three-cornered battle between three-time MP Shashi Tharoor, former CPI MP Pannyan Raveendran and Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar.

Kerala’s capital city has either supported the Congress or the Communist Party of India (CPI). The closest the BJP got to winning the seat was in 2014 when Olanchery Rajagopal lost to Shashi Tharoor by a vote count of 15,470.

Shashi Tharoor ran in the 2019 elections against Kummanam Rajasekharan of the BJP. Rajasekharan lost to him by a total of 99,989 votes. Tharoor received 41.19% of the vote, compared to 31.30% for the BJP candidate.

CPI’s C Divakaran garnered 2,58,556 votes, or 25.60% of the total.

4. Pathanamthitta

The Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency is also expected to see a three-way contest in the 2024 general elections, with the BJP fielding veteran Congress leader AK Antony’s son Anil Antony. The Congress party is sticking with Anto Antony, the sitting MP. The CPI-M has fielded former state finance minister Thomas Isaac.

Since the 2009 general elections, voters in the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha seat have shown steady and continuous support for Congress candidate Anto Antony.

In 2019, Anto Antony defeated BJP’s K Surendran and CPM’s Veena George by 380,927 votes.

5. Kasargod

From Kasargod, the BJP has fielded ML Ashwini, a Manjeshwar block panchayat member, in place of BJP national office bearer PK Krishnadas and state president K Surendran. Rajmohan Unnithan, the sitting Congress MP, is seeking re-election from the seat. M V Balakrishnan, district secretary of the CPI(M), has been put out by the LDF as their candidate.

With 474,961 votes, Unnithan was victorious from the Kasaragod seat in the 2019 elections. With 434,523 votes, CPM’s KP Satishchandran finished in second.

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a Congress alliance partner, is an essential player in the constituency where religious and linguistic minorities typically determine election outcomes.

6. Wayanad

The Wayanad Lok Sabha seat will be one of the most closely monitored seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. The seat is supposedly safe for Congress because sitting MP Rahul Gandhi is seeking re-election from here.

In the 2019 general elections, Congress won a record 64.9% of the votes, while the CPI(M) received just 25.2%.

The wife of CPI(M) General Secretary D Raja, Annie Raja, will square up against Rahul Gandhi. The Congress and the CPI(M) have decided to go solo in the Kerala Lok Sabha elections, despite the two parties being part of the INDIA alliance.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow