MALAPPURAM: The district always had been an IUML forte, except for 2004 when the then LDF candidate T.K. Hamsa managed to breach it in Manjeri constituency. In the elections that followed in 2006, the League was defeated at Kuttippuram and Tirur. The IUML, however, made a comeback in the 2009 and 2014 Lok Sabha polls. IUML All India Secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty registered a massive win in the by-elections following E. Ahmed’s demise. SFI All India President will fight elections in the LDF seat this time. For BJP, V. Unnikrishnan, a teacher’s union leader, will contest.

With the additional boost gained by the presence of Rahul Gandhi, Kunhalikutty is confident about another win. The LDF expects a surprising victory through Sanu. BJP can present a strong contest as well. E. Ahmed in 2014 elections had secured a massive majority of 1, 94, 739 votes.

SDPI secured 47, 583 votes in 2014. They can play a major role in this election. SDPI state President Abdul Majeed Faisi is their candidate. BJP with their strong campaign and the backup of Sabarimala issue is hopeful of increasing their vote share.