Kerala assembly polls 2016: Though not in the fray, they are in the poll arena as campaigners

For some former legislators and prominent leaders who are not in the fray, it was their parties’ decision not to field them. A few others lost to their party colleagues in the rat race. Yet, most of them are in the poll arena as campaigners.

K. Babu, legislator representing Thripunithura for over three decades, stood out with his unusual decision to call it a day. Mr. Babu, a six-time legislator and a former Minister, hung up his shoes after successfully overcoming the persuasion of his party leaders.

“I quit parliamentary politics on health grounds. Though not contesting the elections, I am actively campaigning for party candidate Deepak Joy. Besides introducing him to the constituency, I also attended his election conventions and constituency tour and canvassed votes for him. I am also involved in taking forward the backroom work of the campaign,” says Mr. Babu.

A.N. Shamseer, Speaker of the 15th Assembly, is one of the prominent CPI(M) leaders who returned to the organisational fold in tune with the party decision not to field legislators beyond two consecutive terms in sure bet constituencies.

“The party has asked me to lead the election campaign in Thalassery, which I had represented in 2016 and 2021. I have also been asked to focus on campaigns in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Ernakulam, and Kozhikode districts. In Thalassery, I am highlighting the development activities initiated during the past years,” he says.

Actor Mukesh, who represented the Kollam Assembly constituency in 2016 and 2021, has cancelled his shooting schedule in the first week of April to campaign for CPI(M) candidate S. Jayamohan. “I will make myself fully available for the party candidate during the week. I have already attended a few election campaign meetings in the constituency,” he says.

A.N. Radhakrishnan is a senior leader of the BJP who has contested nine elections. Though not in the fray, Mr. Radhakrishnan is busy campaigning for the party as the chairperson of the NDA. Mr. Radhakrishnan claims he too was involved in bringing six prominent leaders from other political parties to the BJP.

“I am coordinating the campaign with the NDA constituents and attending election conventions and other meetings in my capacity as the core committee member of the BJP,” he says.

Though denied a seat even after completing the preparatory works, former legislator Thomas Vazhakkan has been listed as one of the star campaigners of the Congress this time. He is touring across the State for UDF candidates.

Mr. Vazhakkan, who won the 2011 election from Muvattupuzha, had contested three other Assembly polls. “My campaign is more focussed on Idukki, Ernakulam and Kottayam districts though I have already attended election conventions and political meetings in eight Assembly constituencies across the State,” he says.

Eldhose Kunnappilly, one of the two sitting MLAs of the Congress who failed to secure a renomination, has made himself busy with electioneering in the Perumbavoor constituency for the party candidate.

Rahul Mamkootathil, MLA, who was expelled from the Congress, is staying away from the campaign, though he is active on social media, with his criticism of the LDF government and the CPI(M).

T.P. Sindhumol, who reportedly nurses a grouse for not being considered this time, says she is actively playing her role as the campaigner in-charge of the Kochi constituency. She had unsuccessfully contested the 2021 polls besides the three civic body polls.