Communist Party Of India (CPI), a member of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), announced CA Arunkumar as its candidate for the Mavelikkara Lok Sabha constituency. The name was chosen after some uncertainties regarding his candidate as the Kollam district committee did not support him while the Alappuzha committee recommended his name.
The constituency, spanning two districts – Alappuzha and Kottayam is currently represented by Indian National Congress (INC)’s senior leader Kodikunnil Suresh who has been a three-time consecutive MP from the constituency since 2009. It was in 2004 that CPM’s candidate secured a victory in three decades. However, as per reports from the local media Malayala Manorama, the sitting MP Mr Suresh is likely to be fielded for the fourth time in the constituency. Mavelikkara constituency comprises Kuttanad, Chengannur, Mavelikkara, Changanassery, Kunnathur, Kottarakara and Pathanapuram.
However, with the LDF candidate CA Arunkumar’s name announced, it is generally analysed that it would be hard for him to take on the Congress veteran leader Mr Suresh who secured a majority of more than 60000 votes in the 2019 general election. Yet, the party hopes that the decade-long anti-incumbency feeling could benefit Mr Arunkumar to reclaim the seat from Congress. The party expects that Mr Arunkumar who has completed his law degree can mobilise the youth votes of the constituency.
Speaking to a news channel, Arun Kumar, expressing his hope in the constituency, said that the people of the Mavelikkara constituency want a change and he can deliver it to the people. However, though it is not a notable player in the constituency, BJP probably announce its candidate soon. NDA member Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) had contested previous elections from the constituency.