Kerala assembly election: Too many rajas, only one throne

Nestled in the highlands, Devikulam constituency, famous for its sandalwood groves, sweeping tea plantations and home to the Eravikulam National Park where the Nilgiri tahr roams, is witnessing an unusual electoral contest this time.

The spotlight is on three candidates who share a striking similarity in their names: All are ‘Raja’.




The similarity has sparked curiosity among voters, with some wondering whether it could lead to confusion. Both UDF and LDF candidates are named ‘Raja,’ while NDA candidate, S Rajendran, also shares the prefix.

F Raja, contesting for UDF, is from Attukad in Munnar and is making his electoral debut. He has previously served as a member of Pallivasal panchayat and as vice president of the Adimali block. He has also held organisational roles, including state general secretary of the Dalit Congress and district general secretary of the Karshaka Congress.

With experience in cardamom cultivation and tourism, UDF leaders project him as a candidate with grassroots connect and a strong public image.

The LDF candidate is MLA A Raja, who won the last election by a margin of 7,848 votes. A lawyer practising at the Devikulam munsiff court, he had earlier faced legal challenges over his caste status in this reserved constituency, but the verdict went in his favour. LDF workers point to his accessibility—he runs offices in both Munnar and Adimali—as a key factor in his bid for re-election.

Representing NDA, S Rajendran is a seasoned politician. He served as MLA for three consecutive terms beginning in 2006 and was once a prominent face of CPM in Munnar. After being denied a ticket in the previous election, he fell out with the party and was later suspended for allegedly working against its candidate.

He joined BJP in Feb this year and is now banking on his grassroots network, particularly among plantation and agricultural workers.

With all three candidates bearing similar names, party workers across fronts are taking extra care to guide voters, especially in identifying candidates on the voting machine. Campaigns have increasingly focused on symbols and clear messaging to avoid confusion.

Rajendran, however, appears unfazed, and even playful about the situation. “If UDF and LDF have just ‘Rajas,’ I am the ‘Indran’ among them,” he said, projecting quiet confidence in his chances. Both A Raja and F Raja, however, downplayed concerns, saying voters are guided more by party symbols than by names.