In Aranmula, a town on the banks of the Pamba River, tradition plays a central role in daily life, and in the political landscape during elections.
The political contest in the Aranmula constituency is closely watched, with Health Minister Veena George, a candidate backed by the LDF (Left Democratic Front), seeking a third consecutive term. Her campaign focuses on development initiatives under Left rule, hoping to regain voter trust.
Her opponents, Abin Varkey Kodiyattu of the Congress and Kummanam Rajasekharan of the BJP, are also confident of winning.
George won the seat in 2016 with a margin of 7,646 votes, and in 2021, she significantly increased that lead, securing victory by 19,003 votes.
The question remains whether this margin reflects enduring support or a lead that can still be challenged.
Over the past five years, George has been a prominent target of the opposition in Kerala, with allegations that the state's health sector is "on a ventilator."
The phrase "on a ventilator" has been a recurring theme in the Congress-led United Democratic Front's campaign.
George has described these attacks as "highly personal and painful," but remains determined to retain the seat.
She has also accused the Congress of raising large sums through electoral bonds from private hospital managements and seeking to undermine Kerala's public health system.
George has expressed confidence in her record as an MLA, listing development projects in Aranmula, including bridges, hospital upgrades, and improvements to school infrastructure.
Her main challenger, Abin Varkey Kodiyattu, a state vice-president of the Youth Congress, is positioning himself as a candidate of change.
In Aranmula, both the UDF and NDA have raised the Sabarimala gold loss as a key election issue, as the constituency falls within the Pathanamthitta district, home to the Sabarimala temple.
Kodiyattu frequently raises Sabarimala, along with what he describes as George's "failures" as both MLA and health minister.
"What has the MLA brought to this constituency even after two terms? She has failed as health minister -- you can see that in the taluk hospital in Aranmula. It is in a sorry state," he alleged.
The NDA secured a vote share of over 17 per cent in the 2021 elections in Aranmula, down from 23 per cent in 2016 when the BJP fielded its state general secretary M T Ramesh.
Kummanam Rajasekharan, a senior BJP leader and former governor of Mizoram, is contesting from the seat.
Aranmula has a sizeable presence of both Hindu and Christian voters, segments the NDA is actively targeting.
Rajasekharan said he represents what the constituency now seeks.
Rajasekharan was a prominent leader of the agitation against the proposed Aranmula airport project, spearheading protests and helping mobilise public opposition that ultimately led to the project being scrapped.
He added that the lack of development remains a key concern and that the Sabarimala gold theft issue cannot be dismissed.
He also accused both the UDF and LDF of aligning with groups such as the SDPI and Jamaat-e-Islami for "political gain".