The presence of a rebel candidate of Congress party D. Kumaradas and an independent candidate from fishermen community as well as the social activist, M. Soosaimarian would affect the poll prospect of the official candidate and sitting MLA of Congress party, C. John Jacob.
The Killiyur Assembly segment has elected many prominent leaders including Marshal Nesamony, who was instrumental in annexing Kanyakumari district to the then Madras State, Ponnappa Nadar, Dennis, etc. The constituency has been surrounded with lush green paddy fields and a long coastal line after the delimitation process.
As the long pending demand of various fishermen associations to allot a constituency to elect their representative had fallen in the deaf ears of the concerned officials as well as the representatives of various political parties, the social activist, M. Soosaimarian, has opted to contest in the Assembly election.
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The Killiyur Assembly segment consisted of Soolal, Thoothur, Adaikkakuzi, Kulappuram, Methukummal, Nadaikavu, Vavarai, Mancadu, Munchirai, Painkulam, Mullankinavilai, Thippiramalai, Paloor, Mathicode, Enayam Puthenthurai and Midalam Panchayat Unions, Kollencode, Ezuthesam, Puthukadai, Killiyur, Keezkulam, Karungal, and Palapallam town panchayats.
Not even in a single Assembly election either the Dravida Munettra Kazagham or All India Anna Dravida Munettra Kazagham candidates could not win from this constituency. The people of the constituency elected only the candidates belonging to National parties as well as independents. Hence, this time both fishermen and the people of Schedule Caste would be the deciding factor for the victory of the aspiring candidates. After the delimitation process, coastal villages from Erayammanthurai to Neerodi had been annexed with Killiyur Assembly segment and this resulted to increase the presence of people from fishermen community in this constituency. The population of fishermen community has been increased to 55 percent which accounted 76,000 voters. Moreover, this constituency has a considerable population of Hindu Nadars and Christian Nadars and a few Muslims, Nair and other caste people including SC.
The main issue in this election would be the non-release of water in Neyyar left channel by the Kerala Government and hence farmers in the constituency particularly Mancadu and Vavarai could not under take agriculture operations.
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Moreover, owing to the non-construction of anti-sea erosion walls and groins fishermen were being put in to untold hardship. Regarding D. Kumaradas who was elected four times from this constituency was ‘accessible' to the public. Even during mid-night if any person approached him, without any hesitation he used to extend a helping hand.
Hence, he would give a tough fight to both the official candidate of Congress party C. John Jacob and R. George of AIADMK, a new face. Moreover, the presence of BJP candidate T. Chandrakumar would also give a tough fight to the sitting MLA.
The BJP candidates managed to get considerable votes in 2001 and 2006 elections.
R. Ponnappa Nadar of Tamil Nadu Congress was elected twice from this constituency in 1952 and 1954, A. Nesamony of Indian National Congress was elected in 1957, again R. Ponnappa Nadar was elected in 1962, William was elected in 1967, N. Dennis was elected in 1971 — all from Congress, P. Vijayaraghavan of Janata Party in 1977 and 1980, D. Kumaradas of Janata Party in 1984, P. Vijayaraghavan as independent in 1989, D. Kumaradas of Janata Dal in 1991, D. Kumaradas of Tamil Maanila Congress was elected twice in 1996 and 2001 and finally S. John Jacob of Congress was elected in 2006.There are 11 candidates in the fray.