Character actor and villains fight it out in Pathanapuram

Will glamour or sustained nursing of the constituency win the election? This is the question that pops up when watching the Assembly election contest at Pathanapuram in Kerala, where three actors are fighting it out.

Pathanapuram is a rural constituency where there are hardly any urban agglomerations. A substantial chunk of the electorate is plantation workers.

Sitting member K. B. Ganesh Kumar (Kerala Congress -B), who has acted various roles including that of villain in films, is the candidate of Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). The Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate P. V. Jagadish Kumar is actor who has made mark in Malayalam films and television serials as character actor and comedian. The National Democratic Alliance candidate is Bhimen Raghu, who has acted as villain in many Malayalam films.

The contest in the constituency has attracted special attention because three actors of Malayalam film industry are in the arena.

Pathanapuram is constituency with leftist leanings though Kerala Congress also used to have a sway here. Mr. Ganesh Kumar wrested the seat for the UDF in 2001 defeating the CPI candidate K. Prakash Babu for about 9900 votes. Ever since, Mr. Kumar’s margins have only increased. He won in 2006 with a margin of more than 11800 votes. His margin crossed 20,000 when he defeated K. Rajagopal of CPI (M) in 2011.

Mr. Ganesh Kumar was Transport Minister in the Antony ministry and performed well as Minister. However, he stepped down in 2003 to allow his father R. Balakrisha Pillai to be elevated to the post. (Mr. Pillai had been prevented from becoming minister earlier because of cases against him. Hence, Mr. Kumar had become the party's nominee).

He was Forest Minister in the Oommen Chandy government that came to power in 2011. However, he had to step down following allegations of sexual improprieties and domestic violence. He could not re-enter the ministry even after settling issues with his wife through divorce. Soon he drifted to the LDF.

Mr. Kumar has a long list of developmental works that had taken place in his constituency during the last 15 years. “We are not worried about his moral turpitude. He helps if you approach him for getting something done,” a woman voter said. This has been one of the main reasons for his increasing margins over the years. He has nursed the constituency well, said another voter Rahul Krishnan.

However, some the local CPI (M) leaders were his bitter opponents when he was with the UDF. Even a case is pending over beating up of his private secretary by CPI (M) workers. This makes Mr. Kumar’s present political leanings awkward. Some leftist workers were still opposed to Mr. Ganesh Kumar.

His opponent Jagdish has more glamour than Mr. Kumar. Flamboyant and suave, he has a way with the voters and his campaign is flashier than that of Kumar. His winning chances will depend on cashing on the weak points of Mr. Kumar. This, he does not fail to do during his campaign. Congressmen admit that it is a tough fight but Mr. Jagdish personality and glamour will win through, they say.

Even while attracting crowds as a film personality, Jagadish cares to appear before them as a simple down to earth person. He knows winning hearts is important in an election, especially when you are a debutant. He is spending substantially on campaign material to beat Mr. Kumar.

The NDA candidate has not forgotten his dialogues. His bytes to the media are often raw like those of the villains he have portrayed. Voters know him as he has acted in many films. He hopes that a new found favour for BJP among the State’s voters will help him.

(with inputs from G. Rajkumar)