In Thrithala constituency, the UDF is seeking to defend a seat it regained in 2011 after 20 years of LDF rule. Before 2011, the last time that a UDF candidate won in Thrithala was in 1987. Sitting MLA VT Balram was the UDF candidate who cracked this LDF stronghold in the last elections.
The 37-year-old, who has been one of the most active politicians on social media in the state, says that despite 20 years of representing the constituency, the LDF was not able to solve even the basic problems of Thrithala.
“Among those 20 years they were in power for 10 years. They had a misconception that they will win in Thrithala, whatever else happens. So my victory was a protest of the public against them,” Balram told The News Minute.
Balram defeated CPI (M)’s Mammikutty by around 3000 votes in that election. This time, his rival candidate from the LDF is Subaida Isahaque.
Balram claims that he has brought many important changes to the constituency, which make him confident of victory in the coming elections.
“A government college was a dream for the constituency, I was able to fulfil it. In addition to that, two skill development institutions, the Kausal Kendra and the community skill park, were established here. Pattambi Taluk was also formed in the last 5 years,” he said.
Besides these, the Koottakadavu regulator for agricultural development and irrigation enhancement was also an achievement for Balram.
Balram, who first established an office of the MLA (as against previous MLAs, who interfaced through local party offices) in Thrithala, claims that he has been the most available MLA of Thrithala in recent times. According to him, social media is one of the tools that enables people to approach him easily.
“Before my term, for the public to meet an MLA, they had to approach them through party offices, get permissions from party leaders, etc. We started an MLA office and everyone agrees that I was approachable for the public irrespective of political differences,” he said.
If he wins, Balram would like to finish the development projects he has started, “I have initiated a project of around Rs 1 crore for schools, have begun plans for many agro-based industries, and a plan for a bio park. I would like to complete all these projects,” he said.
Balram is confident that none of the allegations against the Congress party will affect UDF’s victory.
“All these allegations are fake, and that will be proven,” he said.
He also added that many groups have been actively working against him to defeat him in the elections. “Many communal forces and groups try hard to make me fail in the coming elections,” he said.