Tough battle awaits rivals in LDF bastion

A constituency reserved for the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, Balussery remains one of the few segments in north Kerala where ideological continuity has largely defined electoral outcomes, even as shifting voter preferences in the Lok Sabha elections point to an undercurrent of change. With the 2026 Assembly elections approaching, the electorate presents a familiar yet slowly evolving landscape.

The constituency, largely redefined by the 2008 delimitation, comprises nine grama panchayats — Atholi, Balussery, Kayanna, Koorachundu, Kottur, Naduvannur, Ulliyeri, Panangad, and Unnikulam. The inclusion of areas from the neighbouring regions, particularly those with a strong Left presence, has helped consolidate the base of the LDF.

Historically, Balussery has been a socialist stronghold. The constituency repeatedly elected A.C. Shanmughadas, who represented it seven times under different party labels within the socialist fold. The gradual shift of these factions towards the Left entrenched the LDF’s dominance. After him, A.K. Saseendran carried forward the legacy before the constituency was reserved for SC.

Post-delimitation, the CPI(M) assumed direct control of the seat, with Purushan Kadalundy winning in 2011 and retaining it in 2016 with an increased margin. The victory of K.M. Sachin Dev in 2021 ensured the continuation of the Left’s uninterrupted hold on the constituency for over three decades, underscoring the enduring appeal of its organisational strength and ideological base.

Yet, this electorate’s voting pattern has not been entirely uniform. As part of the Kozhikode Lok Sabha constituency, it alternated between the LDF and the UDF in the Lok Sabha elections, favouring the latter in 2014 and 2019. This divergence suggests that local and national considerations often shape voter choices differently. 

At the grassroots level, the LDF continues to enjoy an advantage across a majority of panchayats, though it suffered some setbacks in the recent local body elections. The traditional strongholds of the UDF in panchayats like Atholi, Koorachundu, and Unnikulam appear to be expanded to more local bodies with the anti-incumbency trend.

The LDF has fielded sitting MLA K.M. Sachin Dev again, banking on continuity and performance of the incumbent. The UDF has opted for a generational shift by nominating KSU leader V.T. Sooraj, while the BJP-led NDA has fielded C.P. Satheesan, as it seeks to expand its presence in a constituency where its vote share has shown incremental growth.

Developmental concerns are likely to remain central to the campaign. Despite its natural advantages, including scenic locations such as Vayalada and Kakkayam, Balussery has not fully tapped its eco-tourism potential. A major concern raised by many is the absence of any major industrial venture, which limits the prospect of generating more employment for the rural population. 

The yet-to-be-completed development projects for a large number of SC colonies in the constituency also emerge as a question and a hot campaign issue to be faced by the contestants in the upcoming election. While the LDF’s unchallenged position gives it an advantage, the outcome of the voters’ verdict will depend on how effectively the UDF and NDA mobilise local discontent and address long-standing development issues.