Pala: The Pala assembly constituency in central Kerala is long considered the headquarters of 'Kerala Congress' politics, where the interests of the Syro-Malabar Syrian Christian community, plantations, rubber price, farmers' concerns and business converge to channelise the course of politics.
The late KM Mani, who was the longest-serving finance minister of Kerala and considered the last reigning high priest of Kerala Congress (which has about half a dozen breakaway factions now) won the Pala seat in 12 consecutive elections spanning almost 50 years until his death in 2019. The Mani legacy - admired by supporters and opposed by critics - continues to be a dominant factor that sharpens the political divide and shapes the electoral battles here.
Also Read: Kerala, Telangana CMs trade barbs on governance record ahead of April 9 assembly polls
Three politically pedigreed sons battle it out in Pala this time. For Jose K Mani, 60, son of KM Mani and the current head of the Kerala Congress (Mani) of LDF, this election is a do-or-die battle as he desperately needs an electoral resurrection after his shocking defeat in 2021.
Mani C Kappan, 69, of DCK of UDF, son of the late Parliamentarian Cherian J Kappan is a businessman and film producer who lost three consecutive elections to KM Mani before winning the 2019 byelection, caused by the patriarch's death, and again retained the seat in 2021 by defeating Jose K Mani.
Shone George, 43, son of senior politician PC George who merged his faction of Kerala Congress with BJP, has padded up for the saffron party just as his father has done in neighbouring Poonjar constituency.
For Jose K Mani, it is a tricky battle for establishing his electoral credibility, both as the leader of KC(M) and as a candidate, as his defeat in his late father's electoral fortress last time demonstrated how the KM Mani legacy had taken a reverse swing in his home pitch. The last election also saw KC(M) ending its almost four decades ties with Congress and UDF due to internal rift and aligning with CPI-M-led LDF.
Also Read: Kerala Polls: A rebel comrade stands between LDF's grip & UDF's hope in Red Citadel
While the LDF leadership warmly hugged KC(M) back to its fold, on the grounds of Pala, the chemistry between the Left cadres, who had long fought against the late KM Mani and his KC(M) politics, and Jose's candidature didn't mix. Jose is back in the ring after quelling poll-eve buzz of KC(M) returning to UDF and with the hope that his party's five-year co-existence with LDF has harmonised working ties between Left and KC(M) supporters on the ground. KC(M) is also trying to add an emotional angle by reminding voters that polling day, April 9, is also the death anniversary of the late KM Mani.
"I am very confident of winning this time. The entire LDF is working unitedly in Pala and we are getting very positive response from the people," Jose K Mani told ET.
UDF-powered Mani C Kappan's campaign is leaving no stone unturned to retain the seat. UDF's recent photo-finish victory in the Pala municipality with the support of three independents, ending KC(M)'s marathon reign there, is being presented as a pre-assembly poll show of strength. Whether Kappan's popular appeal remains intact or it lost the sheen due to the incumbency issues of the sitting MLA is a matter of debate.
How Congress and ally KC(J), a rival faction of KC(M), will hold their ground will be crucial for Kappan's hattrick bid.
Though BJP has traditionally been a distant third in Pala elections, what is keeping LDF and UDF camps guessing this time is the electoral reach Shone George may provide BJP to emerge as a tilting factor this time in the traditional Mani Vs Mani fight. A street-smart politician, Shone has mounted a very visible campaign and is trying to combine BJP's traditional votes with the political and community support he and his father have cultivated in the Pala-Poonjar areas. Many locals think the number and political nature of votes Shone nets for BJP could impact the outcome of the three-cornered fight.
The late KM Mani, who was the longest-serving finance minister of Kerala and considered the last reigning high priest of Kerala Congress (which has about half a dozen breakaway factions now) won the Pala seat in 12 consecutive elections spanning almost 50 years until his death in 2019. The Mani legacy - admired by supporters and opposed by critics - continues to be a dominant factor that sharpens the political divide and shapes the electoral battles here.
Also Read: Kerala, Telangana CMs trade barbs on governance record ahead of April 9 assembly polls
Three politically pedigreed sons battle it out in Pala this time. For Jose K Mani, 60, son of KM Mani and the current head of the Kerala Congress (Mani) of LDF, this election is a do-or-die battle as he desperately needs an electoral resurrection after his shocking defeat in 2021.
Mani C Kappan, 69, of DCK of UDF, son of the late Parliamentarian Cherian J Kappan is a businessman and film producer who lost three consecutive elections to KM Mani before winning the 2019 byelection, caused by the patriarch's death, and again retained the seat in 2021 by defeating Jose K Mani.
Shone George, 43, son of senior politician PC George who merged his faction of Kerala Congress with BJP, has padded up for the saffron party just as his father has done in neighbouring Poonjar constituency.
For Jose K Mani, it is a tricky battle for establishing his electoral credibility, both as the leader of KC(M) and as a candidate, as his defeat in his late father's electoral fortress last time demonstrated how the KM Mani legacy had taken a reverse swing in his home pitch. The last election also saw KC(M) ending its almost four decades ties with Congress and UDF due to internal rift and aligning with CPI-M-led LDF.
Also Read: Kerala Polls: A rebel comrade stands between LDF's grip & UDF's hope in Red Citadel
While the LDF leadership warmly hugged KC(M) back to its fold, on the grounds of Pala, the chemistry between the Left cadres, who had long fought against the late KM Mani and his KC(M) politics, and Jose's candidature didn't mix. Jose is back in the ring after quelling poll-eve buzz of KC(M) returning to UDF and with the hope that his party's five-year co-existence with LDF has harmonised working ties between Left and KC(M) supporters on the ground. KC(M) is also trying to add an emotional angle by reminding voters that polling day, April 9, is also the death anniversary of the late KM Mani.
"I am very confident of winning this time. The entire LDF is working unitedly in Pala and we are getting very positive response from the people," Jose K Mani told ET.
UDF-powered Mani C Kappan's campaign is leaving no stone unturned to retain the seat. UDF's recent photo-finish victory in the Pala municipality with the support of three independents, ending KC(M)'s marathon reign there, is being presented as a pre-assembly poll show of strength. Whether Kappan's popular appeal remains intact or it lost the sheen due to the incumbency issues of the sitting MLA is a matter of debate.
How Congress and ally KC(J), a rival faction of KC(M), will hold their ground will be crucial for Kappan's hattrick bid.
Though BJP has traditionally been a distant third in Pala elections, what is keeping LDF and UDF camps guessing this time is the electoral reach Shone George may provide BJP to emerge as a tilting factor this time in the traditional Mani Vs Mani fight. A street-smart politician, Shone has mounted a very visible campaign and is trying to combine BJP's traditional votes with the political and community support he and his father have cultivated in the Pala-Poonjar areas. Many locals think the number and political nature of votes Shone nets for BJP could impact the outcome of the three-cornered fight.
