Kerala assembly elections: In Thavanur, the real ‘Kerala Story’ emerges

Kozhikode: The victory V S Joy, the Congress candidate in Thavanur assembly constituency in Malappuram, has been hailed as the real ‘Kerala Story' — a tale of politics that cuts across traditional identity lines. Joy, the Malappuram DCC president, became the first Christian leader in decades to win from the Muslim-majority district. The only other instance earlier was when the then chief minister A K Antony won from Tirurangadi in the 1995 by-election. Thavanur has a Muslim population exceeding 50%, a sizable Hindu presence, and only a negligible Christian population of around 1%. Yet, Joy secured a decisive mandate, underscoring a cross-community support in favour of him. His campaign was driven in large measure by IUML, which threw its organizational weight fully behind him. The party's support proved crucial in defeating LDF candidate and former minister K T Jaleel, a long-time IUML critic. IUML national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty described the result as a model for Kerala's political culture. "At a time when communal narratives are being pushed, this victory shows that voters can rise above identity. Joy has won from a constituency where his own community has virtually no presence. We consider it as a feather in our cap," said Kunhalikutty. Joy's political rise has been marked by steady organizational work. A former KSU state president who later moved to Youth Congress, he rose to become Malappuram DCC president. His leadership during recent electoral successes, including the Nilambur by-poll and local body polls, had enhanced his political profile.