DMK to Contest Local Body Elections in Idukki, Targets Tamil-Majority Areas
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is set to contest the upcoming local body elections in Idukki district, aiming to garner the support of Tamil voters. The party’s move suggests it will compete independently in Idukki in the forthcoming polls.
Tamil voters hold significant influence in numerous panchayat wards within the Devikulam, Udumbanchola, and Peerumedu taluks, areas predominantly characterized by large plantations facing severe crises. If their performance in the local body elections meets expectations, these Tamil parties are eyeing the three assembly seats in these regions for the state elections. Besides Devikulam, Udumbanchola, and Peerumedu, Idukki district also comprises the Idukki and Thodupuzha constituencies.
The DMK has already opened party offices in Munnar and Upputhara. This strategic move by the DMK follows similar efforts by another prominent Tamil Nadu-based party, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).
K.K. Janardhan, Idukki District Secretary of the DMK, told The Hindu that the party intends to field candidates on its official symbol in the maximum possible number of seats in the plantation areas with a significant Tamil population. According to the DMK leader, the living standards of plantation workers can only improve if political parties from Tamil Nadu come to power.
The influence of Tamil parties in the district gained prominence in 2019 when the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), another major party from Tamil Nadu, secured the Peerumedu Grama Panchayat President position with the support of the UDF. However, the party was unable to replicate this success in 2020.
The VCK has also established an office in Vandiperiyar, within the Peerumedu constituency. The final list of candidates has been prepared for wards with a high Tamil population in Vandiperiyar, Peerumedu, Elappara, and Kumily panchayats. Rizwan Koya K.S., Kerala spokesperson for the VCK, stated that the party is targeting Tamil and Dalit votes in the plantation sector.
The primary issues being highlighted by these parties in their election campaigns include the crises faced by the plantation sector and the poor living conditions of Tamil workers. The denial of caste certificates to the Tamil community is also a significant problem they are raising.
The increasing presence of Tamil Nadu-based political parties in Kerala’s plantation sector is being closely watched by both major fronts in Kerala. K.P.C.C. General Secretary Ibrahim Kutty Kallar announced that a letter would be sent to AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal regarding this matter, urging intervention. He also indicated the possibility of an alliance between the Congress and these Tamil parties in the local body elections, given that DMK and VCK are constituents of the INDIA bloc. In Tamil Nadu, the CPI(M) and CPI are also allies of the DMK, alongside the Congress.