As the Lok Sabha election unfolds, one of the most closely watched constituencies is Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. This constituency, known for its political dynamism, sees a fierce contest between prominent leaders representing different parties.
Three-time MP Shashi Tharoor, a stalwart of the Congress party, is facing off against Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Pannyan Raveendran, a strong candidate from the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and a former MP.
Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency comprises six Assembly segments, namely Nemom, Kovalam, Neyyattinkara, Parassala, Vattiyoorkav, and Kazhakkoottam. With Kerala boasting the highest literacy rate in the country, the state holds significant political importance with its 20 Lok Sabha seats.
Shashi Tharoor, reflecting on his tenure of 15 years in the constituency, expressed confidence in his track record of service. “I’ve served the people of Thiruvananthapuram for 15 years. They know me and have seen my service. It’s not as if I’ve got anything to be ashamed of in my track record,” he stated, emphasizing the three-way contest in the constituency.
In the previous general elections in 2019, Shashi Tharoor emerged victorious with 41.4% of the total votes, followed by the BJP’s Kummanam Rajasekharan and the Communist Party of India’s C. Divakaran. Similarly, in 2014, Tharoor secured a win against BJP candidate O. Rajagopal.
This election marks the first time Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar is contesting the Lok Sabha polls, representing the BJP against Tharoor. Chandrasekhar aims to transform Thiruvananthapuram’s trajectory by focusing on technology, tourism, electronics, manufacturing, research, and science.
Pannyan Raveendran, the LDF candidate, views the main contest as between the LDF and the Congress-led UDF, considering the BJP’s limited influence in Thiruvananthapuram.
Kerala is set to conduct elections in a single phase on April 26, encompassing all 20 Lok Sabha constituencies. The BJP has historically faced challenges in winning parliamentary seats in the state, making this election crucial for all parties involved.
In the broader national context, the NDA secured a significant victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, winning 353 seats, while the UPA stood at 91 seats, with Others winning 98 seats. The upcoming elections in Kerala and other states will shape the political landscape, making each constituency’s outcome pivotal for the overall parliamentary scenario.
