Palakkad (Kerala), March 19 – The Palakkad constituency in Kerala is witnessing a particularly interesting electoral contest this time, with three distinct candidates combining politics, performance, and culinary delights.
The candidates in the race include popular actor and stage artiste Ramesh Pisharody, representing the Congress; BJP leader Shobha Surendran; and CPI-M's surprising pick, noted hotelier N.M.R. Razak, who is also known for his biryani.
What makes the contest intriguing is that only Surendran brings significant political experience to the table.
In the 2016 Assembly elections, she came in second, behind Congress's rising star Shafi Parambil.
Parambil went on to win three consecutive elections from the constituency before being fielded in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he emerged victorious.
The subsequent by-election saw another Congress success, with Youth Congress President Rahul Mammkootathil from Pathanamthitta winning by a record margin of over 18,840 votes, the highest ever in the constituency.
However, this victory was short-lived.
A series of allegations of sexual assault led to his arrest and eventual expulsion from the party, forcing the Congress to seek a new candidate.
Enter Pisharody, a popular figure who has long entertained audiences at Congress events with his wit and humour.
While he lacks political experience, his popularity and connection with the people make him a formidable contender.
Meanwhile, the CPI-M has chosen Razak, whose biryani has arguably reached more households than any political speech.
His entry has added a distinct local flavour to the contest.
As Palakkad heads to the polls, the big question remains: will voters choose experience, humour, or the comforting familiarity of biryani?
In this high-stakes contest, it remains to be seen who will ultimately prevail.