2 months ago
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The upcoming Assembly elections marks the opening of a caller signifier for Thodupuzha, with P.J. Joseph, president of the Kerala Congress and a seasoned state of the United Democratic Front (UDF), announcing his status from electoral politics. He has handed the baton to his son, Apu John Joseph, who volition contention from the constituency successful the elections.
Challenging Mr. Apu John Joseph from the Left Democratic Front (LDF) is Cyriac Chazhikadan, representing Kerala Congress (M). Adding a twist to the contest, Roy Varicattu— who ran arsenic an LDF-backed Independent against the elder Joseph successful 2016 — is contesting this clip arsenic the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate. Mr. Varicattu is representing Twenty20, a caller state of the NDA. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded Basil John arsenic its candidate.
Historically, Thodupuzha has been a stronghold for Mr. Joseph. This predetermination volition beryllium a litmus trial to find whether voters volition widen the aforesaid loyalty to for Mr. Apu John Joseph.. While Mr. Apu John Joseph has pledged to travel his father’s footsteps successful driving development, the LDF argues that a triumph for Mr. Chazhikadan is indispensable to “change the face” of the constituency. Meanwhile, the NDA is hopeful that its increasing influence, peculiarly wrong the Thodupuzha municipality wherever the BJP maintains a beardown presence, volition construe into a important ballot share.
According to the latest electoral rolls, the constituency has 1,87,167 voters. In the astir caller section assemblage elections, the UDF maintained its grip connected the Thodupuzha municipality and the bulk of the surrounding panchayats.
The elder Joseph has historically won by important margins. In 2016, helium defeated Mr. Varicattu by 45,587 votes. Following the divided wrong the Kerala Congress (M), helium emerged victorious by defeating K.I. Antony by a borderline of 20,259 votes successful 2021. The constituency encompasses the Thodupuzha municipality on with the panchayats of Karimkunnam, Purappuzha, Manakkad, Kumaramangalam, Idavetti, Muttom, Alakkode, Karimannur, Udumbannoor, Kodikkulam, Vannappuram, and Velliyamattom.
Thodupuzha, a cardinal constituency successful the hilly territory of Idukki, is wide regarded arsenic a developed municipality centre. Unlike different regions successful the district, Thodupuzha’s proximity to Kochi means its residents trust heavy connected the metro metropolis for assorted needs. The constituency boasts a divers electorate, including farmers, section vendors, and salaried professionals.
