Kasaragod (Kerala): Kerala’s ‘Madhura’ Gram Panchayat is on the verge of making history. Since the formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1980, BJP candidates have consistently won elections in this local body. This trend has continued for 45 years. If the BJP successfully retains power in the upcoming local body elections, ‘Madhura’ will become the only panchayat in the country to achieve a record-breaking victory.
Kerala is generally dominated by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF). However, the BJP has dominated the Madhura Panchayat. However, the party has faced electoral setbacks elsewhere. Rival fronts are considering the Panchayat elections a key target this year, with the local population generally considering ousting the BJP here a “mission impossible.” Internal strife:
In the last local body elections, the BJP won 13 seats in the 20-member Panchayat, while the LDF won four and the UDF three. This time, the electoral landscape has changed. The number of wards has increased to 24. Both the UDF and LDF are hoping to capitalize on the BJP’s internal strife and anti-incumbency to oust the ruling party from power.
While the BJP is preparing to campaign on its development track record, these twin crises pose a serious challenge. Opposition fronts are hoping that issues of alleged corruption, from water distribution and plastic waste management to the printing of voter lists, will finally pave the way for administrative change.
What leaders say: Former Panchayat president and senior BJP leader Madhavan Master says, “The public is with us this time too.” Citing public awareness of development work, he said he hoped the BJP candidate would win with a larger margin than in previous elections. CPI(M) leader and ward member Abdul Jaleel disputes this view. He says, “Times have changed. This time Madhur will be with the Left. People will support us.”
Getting to know Madhur Panchayat:
This panchayat covers an area of 26.04 square kilometers, encompassing Madhur, Patla, Shiribagilu, Poore, and parts of Kudlu villages. The number of voters in the last election was 41,463, which has now declined to 34,777, of which 16,618 are men and 18,158 are women.
Cultural significance:
Madhura is home to the famous Sri Madananteshwar-Siddhi Vinayak Temple. The temple’s presiding deity, Lord Ganesha, is the subject of a popular legend. Devotees believe that the idol continues to grow. According to local beliefs, the statue was originally tall, but later a devotee prayed for its width to increase.
It is believed that it has continued to grow ever since. The temple is an important Hindu place of worship, with Lord Shiva facing east and Lord Ganesha facing south, symbolizing the remover of obstacles.
