The ancient port town of Beypore is not a fair-weather friend for the Left Democratic Front (LDF).
It firmly stands by the front, rain or shine. LDF candidates were elected to the Assembly from this constituency not less that 10 times, despite anti-incumbency trends. In fact, the seven consecutive victories add strength to their fight.
Senior CPI(M) leader Elamaram Kareem won the 2011 election with a margin of 60,550 votes, defeating the UDF’s Adam Mulsi.
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For Kareem, it was his second innings in the Assembly after a stint with the Cabinet as Industries Minister. However, he is not in the fray this time. Kozhikode Mayor V.K.C. Mammad Koya is the LDF candidate.
Amid the LDF’s zeal, the only hope for the UDF is the declining support for its rivals from the electorate. The loss of around 10,000 votes for the LDF in the last Assembly election had kindled fresh hopes in the UDF.
In the first Assembly election in 1965, the votes polled by the UDF candidate were just 14,958. It reached 55,234 in the last election.
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UDF leaders point out that there was a difference of just 5,000 votes between the two fronts. Moreover, the two consecutive victories of congress leader N.P. Moideen in the constituency adds strength to their hopes.
As usual, the exploitation of industrial potential continues to be the campaign motto of all fronts in the constituency. Beypore port and the exploration of the region’s tourism potential top the campaign material of all parties.