The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has announced its decision to contest the upcoming local body elections in Kerala. The party received official permission to participate in the polls on Thursday morning, marking a significant expansion of its political footprint beyond Tamil Nadu. The primary objective behind DMK’s entry into the Kerala electoral arena is reportedly to challenge and defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The DMK has identified three key districts in Kerala for its electoral foray: Idukki, Palakkad, and Kollam. The party plans to field candidates in regions where it believes there is a strong chance of securing victory. As part of its preparations, the DMK has already nominated a candidate for Punalur, a significant step in establishing its presence. The party expects to contest in a total of nine wards across these chosen districts. Candidates will campaign under the iconic ‘Rising Sun’ election symbol, synonymous with the DMK in Tamil Nadu.
Interestingly, while the DMK maintains a strategic alliance with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) and the Indian National Congress in its home state of Tamil Nadu, its approach in Kerala appears to be different. In Kerala, the DMK is extending equal consideration to both the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF). This nuanced stance highlights the party’s pragmatic approach to state-specific political dynamics, seeking to navigate the complex electoral landscape of Kerala while pursuing its broader agenda.