Kochi, March 21 – With the April 9 Assembly elections approaching, the contest in Kerala's Thrikkakara constituency has drawn significant attention, shaped by personal loss, a contestant's recovery, and a competitive three-way race.
The seat became vacant in 2022 after the death of P.T. Thomas, a widely respected Congress leader, leading to a by-election that saw his wife, Uma Thomas, enter public office with a strong mandate.
Her tenure was disrupted by a serious accident, keeping her away from public life for months before her return.
Renominated by the Congress, she is now competing against CPI(M)'s Pushpa Das and BJP-backed NDA candidate Akhil Marar, making it a three-way contest.
Marar's entry as a representative of the Twenty20, an NDA ally, has added a new dimension to the campaign.
The constituency itself reflects a mix of rapid urban development and tradition, anchored by a growing IT hub and the cultural significance of the Vamana Moorthy Temple, closely associated with the Onam festival.
Since 2008, Thrikkakara has consistently voted for the Congress-led UDF, represented by leaders like Benny Behanan and P.T. Thomas. This election will determine whether the UDF can retain the seat or if voters choose a change.
The 2021 Assembly election saw a turnout of around 75.6 per cent, reflecting the steady participation in Thrikkakara, a constituency shaped by rapid urban growth.
"The UDF will definitely win. Over the past 10 years, people across Kerala have been uniting against this government, which we believe is protecting wrongdoing and corruption. As our opposition leader said, we expect to win over 100 seats," Uma told
