LDF outshines UDF in backward community representation in assembly polls

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite Rahul Gandhi's suggestion to give adequate representation for backward communities in winnable seats for the assembly elections, the UDF limited the representation of backward communities to just 21 seats. The Ezhava-Thiyya community was given 17 seats. They were given 14 seats in 2021.

Meanwhile, LDF gave seats to 36 candidates from the backward section. Of these, the Ezhava community was given 30 seats. They were given 26 seats in the last election.

All AICC survey reports had warned that Congress would be able to gain back the trust of the backward community only if the party gave at least 30 seats to the Ezhavas in proportion to their population. The office bearers of the Dharma Sangham Trust had also requested Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, who visited the Sivagiri Mutt, to give deserving seats to the backward classes. Rahul Gandhi then instructed the Congress Central Election Committee to do the needed.

However, the final list of candidates ignored the backward classes. Only three seats were reserved for the Ezhava community, compared to 2021. Two seats for the Nadar community and one seat each for the Dheevara and Latin communities. Other backward communities, including the Vishwakarma, were completely ignored.

LDF SEATS:

Ezhava-Thiyya: Varkala, Kazhakoottam, Vattiyoorkavu, Kollam, Chathannoor, Chadayamangalam, Konni, Peerumedu, Kayamkulam, Haripad, Tripunithura, Thrikkakara, Ettumanoor. Puthukkad, Kodungallur, Kaypamangalam, Koyilandy, Perambra, Vadakara, Elathur Malampuzha, Chittoor, Nenmara, Alathur, Ottappalam, Dharmadam, Payyannur, Thalassery, Peravoor, Manjeswaram.

Nadar: Aruvikkara, Neyyattinkara, Kovalam.

Dheevara: Alappuzha.

Yadava: Kalliasseri

Saliya: Kannur.

UDF SEATS:

Ezhava: Kazhakoottam, Nedumangad, Kollam, Chathannur, Konni, Udumbanchola, Kayamkulam, Ettumanoor, Thripunithura, Kodungallur, Puthukkad, Nenmara, Chittoor, Malampuzha, Kozhikode North, Kalyasserry, Thalassery.

Nadar: Kattakada, Neyyattinkara. Dheevara: Manalur.

Latin: Kovalam.

The UDF's representation in the assembly dried up after it started to marginalise backward communities. The number of Congress members in the assembly has been limited to 21 in 2016 and 22 in 2021. The representation of the Ezhava community has been reduced to one both times.