MALAPPURAM: The Mulsim voters of Ponnani only look at the party symbol during the voting. G M Banatwala, who was a native of Mumbai had reached the parliament from Ponnani six times. Ibrahim Sulaiman Seth, a native of Bengaluru had also won in Ponnani with a majority of one lakh votes. IUML’s majority had always been lakhs or crores till E Ahmed contested in 2004.

Though IUML has not lost in Ponnani even after 2014, the majority started decreasing. E T Muhammed Basheer recieved a majority of 82,684 votes in 2009. However, the majority was decreased by 25000 votes in 2014. UDF had only a majority of 1,071 votes in the constituency during the 2016 assembly elections.

League was hoping to reconsider the candidature of E T Muhammed Basheer. However, E T became a star in the triple talaq issue. Thereby, E T became a favourite even among anti-league organizations and 'samsatha'. However, many local leaders believe that E T should be contested in Malappuram and P K Kunjalikkutty should be contested in Ponnani.

CPM had won in the constituency between 1962 and 1971. They have not won in Ponnani after the restructuring of the constituency in 1977. However, the decline in majority is giving hopes for the left. CPM took back the seat from CPI in 2009 and Dr. Hussain Randathani was chosen as the candidate. This resulted in a decline in the majority. When former Congress leader V Abdu Rahmiman contested from Ponnani, the majority further decreased. Therefore, CPM will choose an independent candidate this time.

SIDCO chairman Niyas Pulikkalakath, who had lost to P K Abdurab from Thiroorangadi in the assembly elections just for 6,043 votes has the majority. However, it has been rumoured that Niyas demanded a Rajya Sabha seat if he loses.

Assemblies within the constituency: Thrithala, Ponnani, Tavanur, Kottakkal, Tirur, Tanur and Tirurangadi.