Rebels trouble LDF & UDF as Thiruvananthapuram corporation election picture becomes clear
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With scrutiny of nominations completed on Monday, a full picture of the electoral contests to the Thiruvananthapuram corporation council has become clear and the two leading fronts are grappling with a surge in rebel candidates. Even senior leaders have entered the fray as independents, placing the LDF and the UDF in a tight spot ahead of the polls. In a contrast to previous elections, the LDF is facing serious internal rebellion this time. None of the LDF rebels withdrew their nominations despite last-minute attempts by the party leadership to persuade them. The LDF faces rebel threats in Vazhottukonam, Ulloor, Kachani, Chempazhanthy, and Vizhinjam. In Ulloor, former local committee member and former Deshabhimani bureau chief K Sreekantan is contesting independently. In Chempazhanthy, former block panchayat president Annie Ashokan has entered the race after raising allegations against MLA Kadakampally Surendran. In Vazhottukonam, local committee member K V Mohanan filed his papers in protest against the candidate selection. Nettayam Satheesh is contesting from Kachani, while N A Rasheed is in the fray from Vizhinjam. The UDF too is encountering similar challenges, with rebels active in four wards. Sudheesh Kumar in Poundkadavu, former councillor Krishnaveni in Punchakkari, INTUC mandalam president P Lalu in Kazhakoottam, and Youth Congress leader Hissan Hussain in Vizhinjam have all filed nominations as independents. While an IUML candidate is contesting in Poundkadavu, the RSP has put up its candidate in Punchakkari. Seat-sharing disagreements have further complicated matters for the UDF. In a fallout of the disputes, the Kerala Congress (Joseph) is contesting in five wards. Former Kerala Congress (M) member Vijayamoorthy is contesting from Vizhinjam. In the Port ward, Baby Pereira is in the fray, while Nirmala Thomas is contesting in Palayam. In Kazhakoottam, former grama panchayat member A M Hussain is the candidate, and in the Sainik School ward, Kerala Youth Front district president Thekkeveettil Sujith is also contesting. Despite the growing list of dissidents, senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan has dismissed the concerns. There is no concern for the party regarding the rebels. All of them have already been expelled. The rebels in Mannanthala and Poundkadavu were removed recently. The Kazhakoottam rebel could not withdraw his nomination in time, but he has submitted a notice expressing his intention to withdraw. Let them remain in the fray; the party has no issues with it. None of them will be taken back, nor will they be considered for the assembly elections, Muraleedharan said. Anavoor Nagappan too maintained that the rebel presence would not weaken the party. The party will take all necessary action against the rebels. Their presence will not affect our campaign or the election in any way. Our preparation has been strong and will continue without disruption, he said. Rebel threats LDF faces rebel threats in Vazhottukonam, Ulloor, Kachani, Chempazhanthy, and Vizhinjam UDF too is encountering similar challenges, with rebels active in four wards Seat-sharing disagreements have further complicated matters for the UDF
Wild boar attacks spike as culling halts following seizure of shooters weapons
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Wild boar attacks are surging across the state, with culling operations coming to a complete halt following the declaration of local body elections. Farmers and residents in vulnerable regions are bearing the brunt as district collectors have directed all licenced firearm holders to deposit their weapons at police stations an order that contradicts the Election Commission guidelines. According to the Commissions circular, only specific categories of licence holders are required to surrender their arms during elections individuals released on bail, those with a history of criminal offences, and persons previously involved in rioting or election-related violence. The rules mandate that a screening committee, comprising the district magistrate and the superintendent of police, must review each case individually before issuing directions. Amid mounting distress among farmers and shooters, the Kasaragod District Gun Licensees Association has approached the High Court, seeking urgent intervention against the directive issued during election time. The circular does not authorise blanket or district-wide orders. We are getting numerous calls from farmers for crop protection but we are unable to offer our services. We gave a memorandum to the chief minister, state police chief, and the authorities concerned but havent received any response, said Pradeep Rao Mepodu, president of the Kasaragod District Gun Licensees Association. Across Kerala, empanelled shooters authorised to undertake wild boar culling have had all their weapons detained, bringing control operations to an abrupt stop. The freeze has intensified the wild boar crisis in several districts. In a tragic incident highlighting the gravity of the situation, an autorickshaw driver who sustained grievous injuries in a wild boar attack in Thiruvananthapuram died on Sunday. The attack occurred in the Kallara-Pangode region, where wild boar intrusions and crop destruction remain persistent concerns. The fatality has raised alarm about the consequences of suspending culling for nearly a month until the end of local body elections. Jeevan Kumar, an empanelled shooter and a schoolteacher from Kallara, said that crop destruction is rampant in the region. Every day, farmers are coming to me and even the forest authorities have asked for intervention, but I am helpless as my weapons have been seized. The same wild boar that killed the autorickshaw driver here had earlier attacked another person. The shooters are unable to help and the authorities are turning a blind eye to the issue. Wild boars are roaming around freely and destroying crops, and people are scared to venture out after dark, Jeevan said. By July this year, local bodies had culled at least 4,734 wild boars as part of conflict mitigation efforts. Local bodies were given the responsibility of eliminating wild boars that destroy crops or threaten human life in May 2022.
AI creates flutter among voters in Kerala poll campaign
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: AI-generated videos of football legend Lionel Messi have been circulating among Keralites for almost a year, making the format familiar to many. Yet in November, when K P Saleem from the Otukkungal panchayat in Malappuram used a fresh Messi video as part of his campaign strategy, it created a flutter among voters. By tapping into the regions massive football fan base, Saleem managed to score a political goal or two against his opponents. This election marks the first major political contest in Kerala after the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and parties are embracing the technology like never before. From digital avatars to content tailored for specific age groups and locations, tech-driven methods have become central to campaign strategies. However, the mainstay of local body elections remains the familiarity of the candidate and the personal one-to-one connection with voters. In the second phase of campaigning, parties continue door-to-door visits to reinforce this factor. Yet, digital marketing becomes a powerful complement. It is about setting the mood among voters. Social media now influences trends across different age groups, said Robin Alex Panicker, a tech entrepreneur closely tracking these developments. This election is unlike the one five years ago. Our digital behaviour has changed a lot. Young voters consume more content from reels on social media, so this trend naturally enters the election. Those who ignore the medium cannot reach these voters, he added. Most candidates now have some form of digital strategy, though the scale differs. There is demand to manage the entire digital campaign of a party or assist in placing advertisements targeted to specific geographic areas, explained Sham Mohammed, director of Storycat Creative Pvt Ltd. He noted that individual candidates often want their pictures transformed into videos with constituency locations as the backdrop. Pointing out new possibilities, Midhun Mohan, managing director of Green Ads Global, said, We can make a candidate read out a script to capture lip movements, expressions, and emotions, and then create a digital twin or AI avatar. With different prompts, we can generate multiple videos. The scalability is quite high. Similarly, Tinu Easo Cherian and Kiranraj V R, co-founders of Originative Nest, observed that AI advancements have overcome earlier shortcomings. We can now create longer videos in a cost-effective manner. Soon, we will be able to upgrade the resolution to match big-screen quality, they said. At the same time, the rapid spread of these tools has also raised concerns. In a bid to address this, the State Election Commission has formed expert panels to monitor and regulate AI-generated content during the local body elections, aiming to prevent misuse and ensure a fair process. Despite these concerns, experts believe AIs role in campaigns will only grow in the upcoming assembly elections. Messi magic International football players making announcement in Malayalam, driving KSRTC bus K P Saleem from the Otukkungal panchayat uses Lionel Messis digital twin to take a dig at Sports Minister V Abdurahiman Startups/digital marketing companies working with political parties to make personalised campaign materials Benefits of using AI Personalised voter outreach based on demographics and interests Efficient resource allocation for campaign events and ads Real-time feedback from public sentiment tracking Scalable communication across platforms and languages Data-driven decision making for strategy refinement AI tools used in elections Automated content generation for campaign messaging Facial and voice recognition in voter verification systems Chatbots for voter interaction and FAQs Predictive analytics to forecast voter behaviour Risks and ethical concerns Privacy violations from data harvesting Algorithmic bias affecting fairness Manipulative targeting of vulnerable groups Lack of transparency in AI-driven decisions Spread of misinformation via deep fakes or bots
72,005 in the fray for local body elections in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A total of 72,005 candidates are officially in the fray across the state for the upcoming local body elections, as per provisional data released by the State Election Commission late on Monday. The final picture of the candidates became clear after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations ended on Monday. The list of candidates includes 37,786 women, 34,218 men and one transgender person. Meanwhile, all major fronts are facing the menace of rebel candidates who have refused to withdraw their candidature despite efforts by party leadership to mollify them. While the LDF and the UDF have five rebel candidates each in Thiruvananthapruam corporation, 11 rebels are causing headache to the Congress-led front in Kochi corporation. Six-time BJP councillor Shyamala S Prabhu, who turned a rebel this time, is taking on the official candidate of the saffron alliance in Kochi corporations Cherlai ward. While the UDF has six rebel candidates in the fray in Thrissur corporation, four rebel candidates are poised to play spoilsport for the LDF that rules the civic body. The BJP-led NDA too has a rebel candidate in Vadookara ward, its sitting seat in Thrissur corporation. Kannur, the lone UDF-ruled corporation, has rebel trouble for the Congress-led front in three seats. A CPM rebel candidate in Kannur corporation withdrew his candidature on Monday, offering relief to the LDF. Relief for Wayanad UDF as YC rebel withdraws The UDF in Wayanad heaved a sigh of relief after Youth Congress leader Jasheer Pallivayal, who had entered the fray as a rebel for the district panchayat, withdrew his nomination on Monday following last-minute intervention by senior party leaders. In Alappuzha district panchayats Ambalappuzha division, the conflict within the UDF over the seat has been resolved, with the IUML agreeing to withdraw its rebel candidate at the last minute. The LDF has already secured 14 seats unchallenged. In Kannur, LDF secured two additional unopposed victories in Anthoor municipality after the nomination papers of UDF candidates were rejected during fresh scrutiny on Monday. With this, five LDF candidates have been elected unopposed in the civic body.
Chessboxer who blends brains and brawn on her way to glory
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: At just 20 years old, Arundhathy Raju Nair is already a force to reckon with in the rare and demanding sport that is chessboxing. A final-year BTech student at LBS Engineering College in Thiruvananthapuram, Arundhathy has managed to balance the pressures of academics with the intensity of training, and in the process, etched her name in Asia Book of Records for being the only female athlete to win the Asian Chessboxing Championship for three consecutive years: 2023, 2024 and 2025. Her journey began in Class V when she discovered chess. Representing her school at state-level competitions, Arundhathy quickly developed a reputation for her sharp mind and calm composure. However, her life took an unexpected turn when her coach, Sandhanu Vijayan, introduced her to chessboxing, a hybrid sport that demands both mental agility and physical aggression. I started with a loss after just two months of practice, she recalls. Later, I picked up momentum, winning gold or silver regularly in Asian and national championships. Unlike any other sport, the main challenge in chessboxing lies not only in mastering chess and boxing, two games at opposite ends of the spectrum, but also in switching seamlessly between them. First, a chess match is played in the boxing ring. If no decision is reached within three minutes, the players spar. The game keeps alternating until there is a winner. Unlike other combat sports such as kick boxing, chessboxing combines pure chess and pure boxing, with rules of both the disciplines enforced strictly. Usually, chess players do not take up boxing. They prefer concentrating on the board. Boxers, on the other hand, show aggression but may not think of ways to win a board game. Chessboxing shows you are both mentally and physically fit, Arundhathy explains. Arundhathy in action against Russias Oksana Komissarova during the Asian Chessboxing Championship in 2023 The toughest part, she admits, is regaining focus after a bout. You may not be in a position to think through the strategies you planned earlier. Her breakthrough moment came in 2023, during her first year of engineering, when she scored back-to-back victories against Maharashtras Madhavi Gonbare, a prominent Indian chessboxer. Those wins, first at the Asian Championship (her maiden Asian title) and then at the Indian Open World Championship, catapulted her to fame. I was just one of the players till then, she says. She has gone on to win gold at the Asian Championship in Kolkata, competing in the under-55 kg category, and has built a professional boxing record of two wins and one loss. Behind her success lies a strong support system. Arundhathy grew up in Oruvathikotta, Thiruvananthapuram, studied at GGHS Cottonhill, and comes from a family deeply rooted in academics and professional excellence. Her father, Raju N R, is a senior IT professional at Allianz Technology, while her mother, Suma M S, serves as the principal of Sholayur HSS in Palakkad. Her younger sister, Aparna N Nair, also tried her hand at boxing before Arundhathy. Her familys encouragement and example provided Arundhathy with a strong foundation of discipline, resilience and ambition, shaping her journey both inside the ring and on the chessboard. Training for her is a disciplined affair. She practises boxing at the Brothers Boxing Academy and hones her chess skills at Masters Academy. Before competitions, she follows a strict 45-day regimen that combines diet and training. I am underweight, so there isnt much weight restriction, she says with a smile, acknowledging the unique advantage she carries into her bouts. Chessboxing may still be a niche sport in India, but it is gaining recognition abroad. It was even showcased at the Paris Olympics cultural event. Arundhathy hopes to be part of the wave that brings the sport into the mainstream in India. Her next big goal is the World Championship in France, where she plans to represent the country on the global stage. Arundhathys story is not just about medals and records. It is about breaking stereotypes, proving that a chess player can throw punches, and a boxer can think several moves ahead. Her journey embodies resilience, discipline, and the courage to step into uncharted territory.
Ananth Technologies to open Centre of Excellence for Navigation in Thiruvananthapuram
ISRO Chairman to inaugurate the centre on Tuesday
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Fresh audio clips and WhatsApp chats have surfaced in connection with the sexual harassment allegations against MLA Rahul Mankootathil. The recordings, released by the News Malayalam channel, feature purported conversations between the MLA and the girl. In the audio, the girl is heard alleging that Rahul Mankootathil encouraged her to become to get conceived. He can be heard telling her that they should have a baby. However, a conversation further reveals that the MLA is allegedly pressuring the girl to undergo an abortion. Questioning his sudden change of stance, the girl says everything had been planned by him. Distraught and emotional, she is heard saying she is facing physical and mental distress and is unable to cope. MLA Rahul Mamkootathils audio on sleepless nights after harassment allegation sparks social media trolling The girl mentions nausea and related health issues, expressing fear about visiting the doctor known to Rahuls family. In response, Rahul is heard dismissing her concerns, asking her to speak realistically and accusing her of showing drama. When the girl breaks down, saying she cannot handle the situation, Rahul allegedly responds with an obscene remark in an attempt to silence her. He further questions why she is getting upset now, pointing out that she had been fine for the past three days. As the girl says she cannot even eat due to stress, Rahul replies that everyone knows what happens in the first month of pregnancy. The girl counters, saying that while he may have seen many people, she only knows her own difficulties. The emergence of the audio and chat messages has intensified the controversy, prompting renewed calls for a detailed investigation into the allegations.
IFFK 2025 delegate registration to begin from Nov 25
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Delegate registration for the 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), organised by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, will begin at 10 am on Tuesday (November 25). The festival is scheduled to be held in Thiruvananthapuram from December 12 to 19, 2025. The registrations can be completed through the official portal (registration.iffk.in). The delegate fee has been fixed at Rs 1180, including GST, for the general category and Rs 590 for students. Online registration is open to all categories, including the general public, students, film societies, and film and television professionals. A delegate cell has also been set up at Tagore Theatre in Thiruvananthapuram for those opting for direct registration. The 30th edition of IFFK will feature an array of curated sections, including the International Competition for films from Asian, African and Latin American countries; World Cinema, showcasing globally acclaimed films; Indian Cinema Now; Malayalam Cinema Today; Country Focus; and the Homage section, honouring departed film personalities. Over 200 international guestsincluding directors, technicians and jury membersare expected to participate. The festival will also host open forum discussions, meet-the-director sessions, exhibitions and a range of cultural programmes.
Man found drowned at Papanasam beach
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A 53-year-old man from Puthenchanda in Varkala was found drowned at Papanasam beach on Sunday morning. The deceased, identified as Binukumar, was first spotted by a group of fishermen who had gone out to sea early in the day. They brought the body ashore and alerted the police. The police said preliminary indications point to suicide, though the conclusion is yet to be confirmed. Officers said he was reportedly under financial stress. Binukumar worked as a security guard and helper at a doctors clinic. He is survived by wife and two children. No missing person complaint had been filed. Relatives told the police that they had gone to attend a nearby wedding and that he had told them he would join later. The police said the condition of the body suggested he may have entered the sea either late at night or in the early hours of the morning. The coastal police reached the spot shortly after the fishermen recovered the body and passed the information to both Varkala and Ayiroor police stations. As the body was initially unidentified, officers checked recent missing-person reports within both station limits. After the inquest, the body was shifted to the mortuary.
CPM winning elections by threatening public: Sreelekha
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP candidate in Sasthamangalam ward and former DGP R Sreelekha on Sunday alleged that the Communist party wins votes and governs the state by intimidating and threatening the public. In a Facebook post, she questioned whether there was anything wrong in making such a statement. Referring to Kannur, Sreelekha said, Reports claimed that there were no Opposition candidates in four LDF wards. The reason is clear: If anyone contests, they will be killed. This is their democracy. She also expressed concern over the incident in which a CPM candidate attacked the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club secretary and an independent candidate. Sreelekha also talked about the sudden announcement of a new candidate, Sreelatha V V, in the Sasthamangalam ward. The former DGP said she didnt know if the candidate was contesting as an independent or belonged to the CPI(ML), but claimed the intention was evident. According to her, voters might mistake the candidate for her due to the similarity in names, which would ultimately benefit the LDF.
Opposition accuses CPM of butchering democracy in Kannur, slams CM
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan on Sunday accused the CPM of using intimidation and goondaism to prevent rival candidates from contesting the local body polls. The CPM is butchering democracy by celebrating victories in Kannur even before the elections, he said in Thiruvananthapuram. Satheesan said CPM workers had threatened people who agreed to contest on UDF tickets, including in the state secretarys own ward. He criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPM state secretary M V Govindan for lecturing others on anti-fascism while denying democracy and freedom in their own strongholds. He alleged that the CPMs activities in Kerala resembled a mafia-like pattern, worse than the party-dominated villages once seen in Bengal and Tripura. According to him, a section of election officials functioned like a CPM faction during the scrutiny of UDF nominations in several parts of Kannur district. In Malappattam, Kannapuram and Anthoor, CPM-linked groups threatened UDF candidates, he alleged. He also referred to cases in Ernakulam and Palakkad, including police allegedly delaying a UDF candidate from reaching the returning officer, and a CPM local leader in Attappadi allegedly threatening to abduct a rival candidate. Satheesan further accused the Election Commission of bias for accepting the nomination papers of four CPM candidates employed temporarily with the Khadi Board in Kannur and Kasaragod while rejecting a UDF candidate in Alangad on the same grounds. Satheesan said the UDF would challenge these decisions legally.
Rookies who redefined rural development in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: They were once dismissed as too young, too inexperienced, too idealistic for the rough-and-tumble of grassroots administration. But over the past five years, a few in their 20s who took charge of grama panchayats across Kerala have not only proved sceptics wrong, but also left behind commendable achievements. As Kerala heads for another local body election, its stories offer a revealing glimpse into both the possibilities and the limitations of youth politics at the grassroots. TNIE spoke to some leaders who assumed office between 20 and 25 a cohort that brought freshness, visibility and vibrancy to local governance. Their track records show ambition and innovation, yet many are stepping away, citing one factor that continues to haunt young entrants: the painfully low honorarium that makes politics a financial burden rather than a career possibility. Reshma Mariam Roy From too young to double Swaraj Trophy winner When CPMs Reshma Mariam Roy became president of the Aruvappulam grama panchayat (Pathanamthitta) in 2020, she had turned 21 the minimum age to contest just a day before filing her nomination. She went on to lead her panchayat to two consecutive Swaraj Trophies, disproving assumptions about her inexperience. I was told running a panchayat is not childs play, Reshma said. But with the support of my colleagues and comrades, we transformed Aruvappulam into one of the districts best-performing panchayats, she said. This time, she is contesting for the district panchayat from Malayalapuzha, confident that younger generations bring a sharper focus on development, especially when paired with the experience of senior leaders. Johnys P Stephen Young leaders bow out due to low honorarium While some soared, others have quietly decided to step away from electoral politics - not due to disillusionment, but because they simply cannot afford it. One of them is Johnys P Stephen, who became Uzhavoor (Kottayam) panchayat president as a 22-year-old independent backed by the UDF. I contested while doing my MA in English, he said. During his tenure, he secured land for a long-delayed mini civil station project worth Rs 4 crore and launched a farmers market bringing together growers from every ward. But he is not contesting again. With just Rs 8,000 for a ward member and around Rs 15,000 for a president, survival becomes difficult, he said. Young members can do tremendous work, but the low honorarium pushes them out. The amount must be increased, he added. Radhika Madhavan Taking development to Adivasi hamlets At 23, CPMs Radhika Madhavan took charge of the Malampuzha grama panchayat (Palakkad) in 2020. She is staying in politics and is now contesting for the block panchayat. Her tenure saw major interventions in Adivasi belts: new health sub-centres in Elival and Anakkal (one inaugurated and one awaiting opening), a new building for a 31-year-old homeopathy dispensary, and extensive waste-management projects. Pipeline work to address drinking water shortage in remote tribal settlements has also been completed. Young people should enter local governance, but financial constraints discourage many, she said. I continue because of my commitment to the party and the people. Amrutha C Rebuilding a panchayat while completing degree CPMs Amrutha C, president of Ittiva grama panchayat (Kollam), also assumed office at 23 after completing her degree in Sociology. During her tenure, the 70-year-old panchayat building was demolished and rebuilt, and funds were allocated for an upcoming industrial centre to support future entrepreneurs. She is recontesting, this time from a ward (Padinjare Vayala) held by the BJP. I could continue my studies alongside my responsibilities, she said. This time too, I want to show that young leaders are not temporary placeholders. A generation willing to lead, if system lets them As Keralas political landscape prepares for another electoral cycle, these stories underline a stark reality: Young leaders are willing to take charge and are capable of delivering measurable development. But structural constraints especially low remuneration are forcing many to walk away. The kids on the block have proven they can run panchayats, win awards, and push long-stalled development projects into motion. Yet unless formal support systems improve, Kerala risks losing an emerging generation of grassroots leaders whose only demand is that public service should not come at the cost of personal survival
LDFs campaign will expose SIR as an attack on democracy and equality
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a quick chat with TNIE, CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam outlines LDFs united stand on key issues, from Sabarimala to welfare pensions. He stresses on Left unity, people-centric development, and resistance to BJPs ideological agenda. Excerpts: Do you think the recent controversy over the Sabarimala gold theft and the unresolved man-animal conflicts will hurt the LDF in the local body elections? From the very beginning, we have made it clear that we fully support the SIT investigation in the Sabarimala issue. The government will not shield anyone involved, and this must be communicated openly to the public throughout the campaign. On man-animal conflict, our position is straightforward: human life comes first. While we value biodiversity and recognise that animals are a part of the ecosystem, our priority is to protect people when their lives are threatened. You have opposed SIR strongly. How will you bring it into the campaign? SIR is a BJP-RSS scheme to deny voting rights to dalits, adivasis, and the poor. It stems from Golwalkars Bunch of Thoughts, which insists that only those who accept their version of religion and culture deserve citizenship. Their vision is rooted in chaturvarnya and Manusmriti, excluding marginalised communities. Weve already seen its impact in Bihar, where even the Election Commission acted like the BJPs executive committee. Our campaign will expose SIR as an attack on democracy and equality. On PM SHRI, differences between CPI and CPM lingered even after the government revised its stand. Will this affect LDFs campaign coordination? PM SHRI is not a minor issue; it touches ideology, politics, education, and values. From the start, the LDF approached it with unity. When the BJP tries to push its chaturvarnya-based agenda into education, the Left can only oppose it. Both CPI and CPM share this position, so the LDF has one clear stand. Though opponents and the press tried to portray a clash, we were confident of resolving it collectively. That unity is the strength of the LDF. This is not the victory of one party, but of all partners together, a political victory for both CPI and CPM. Will the increase in welfare pensions help LDF electorally? It will, but more importantly, it reflects our vision of development. The UDF once mocked us as a pension government, but we proudly stand by it. For us, development is not just highways and big projects, it is improving peoples lives and giving them hope. Yes, we are a pension and kit government, but for the poor. That shows clearly who we represent.
Polls not just local battles in states oldest Thiruvanthapuram corporation
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The oldest municipal corporation in the state, Thiruvananthapuram where local polls are not just local battles but a way to higher levels of administration is all set to witness a tough contest this time. Over the years, the corporation has catapulted key figures to the legislative assembly, including General Education Minister V Sivankutty, who served as the mayor from 1995 to 2000, and Vattiyoorkkavu MLA V K Prasanth, who was the mayor from 2015 to 2019. While the LDF has been able to maintain its forte since the mid-90s, the entry of the BJP as a key third player effected a change in the corporations political dynamics. Having secured 51 seats in 2010, the LDF saw its tally fall to 43 in 2015, but bounced back to 51 seats in 2020. Five years down the line, the CPM-led fronts bold decision of picking a then 21-year-old Arya Rajendran as the mayor has brought in a mixed response. On the other hand, the UDF has been on a lean patch in the corporation. While the Congress-led front managed to win 41 seats in 2010, it was severely affected by the growth of the BJP in 2015, securing only 21 seats in 2015. And in 2020, the UDF struggled to get 10 seats. While the BJP made its entry in 1988 with six councillors, it maintained that figure in 2010. The BJP-led NDA rose to a surprising tally of 34 in 2015, and maintained the numbers in 2020, pushing the UDF to the third spot in both terms. However, LDF district secretary V Joy, MLA, expressed confidence of the front continuing on the winning path. None of the recent controversies will pose a hurdle for the LDF in these elections, he stressed. We are considering both UDF and BJP as equal political rivals here, Joy said. With the recent suicides, people have understood BJPs true colours, as the party has started using its mafia groups to threaten whoever opposes them, within or outside the party. We have a stand on the candidature of Vyshna Suresh, which we will clarify after the elections, he said, adding that it will not affect LDFs chances even in Muttada where Vyshna is the UDF candidate after her name was reinstated in the voters list. Riding on the early announcement of candidates, the UDF is hopeful of making a strong comeback in Thiruvananthapuram. Though fielding ex-MLA K S Sabarinadhan as the mayor candidate was a tactical move, internal feuds throughout the state have not projected, in general, a favourable image of the UDF. Thiruvananthapuram DCC president N Sakthan said the front will secure at least 40 seats this time. Given the triangular fight here, 40-odd seats will be enough to secure a majority, he said. He added that the Vyshna issue will reflect positively for the UDF statewide. Though star candidates like Asian Games medallist Padmini Thomas and former DGP R Sreelekha have added colour to its campaign, the NDA is yet to shake off the aftershocks of the suicides of two of its members. While Thirumala councillor K Anilkumar ended his life due to financial crises, mentioning that our people didnt support me in his suicide note, another young party member, Anand K Thampi, alleged that the party denied him the Thrikkannapuram seat and that BJP leaders in the ward have close ties with the sand mafia. Terming the suicides saddening and unfortunate, BJP district president V V Rajesh said, These polls discuss ground-level issues, for which we have plans. The term triangular contest can be applied only to certain wards, he added.
Vizhinjam to play role in Keralas green hydrogen initiative
Plans afoot for regional green hydrogen ecosystem, with Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram as hubs, under the Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster (HVIC) initiative
Gulf Air adds new services on Bahrain-Thiruvananthapuram route
Gulf Air increases number of flights from Thiruvananthapuram to Bahrain
Exciting news for travelers from Thiruvananthapuram! Gulf Air has ramped up its flight schedule to Bahrain, boosting the number of weekly flights from four to a delightful seven. This expansion is a direct response to the bustling expatriate community in southern Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Iconic Varkala cliff losing battle as govt-approved violations go on
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: At a time when Varkala is being celebrated globally after finding a place on the Unesco tentative list, the historic cliff is ironically facing one of its worst phases of destruction with even government-approved projects contributing to the violations. Allegedly, the government has granted approval for two major projects that have encouraged large-scale interventions on the fragile and fast-eroding cliff. The government has given approval for a `25-crore project under the Swadeshi Darshan scheme at Varkalas centuries-old Janardhana Swamy Temple. Despite repeated notices from the Varkala municipality, the tourism department continues to go ahead with piling, hill excavation and construction work. According to municipal authorities, they have already issued a stop memo for the project. It is learned that ULCCS (Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society), the executing agency, has demolished significant portions of the cliff to facilitate the work. We have our limitations because its a government project. The tourism department is yet to submit the mandatory application for approval from the local body. The project also lacks CRZ clearance, said a senior official of the Varkala municipality. Recently, the government also approved the construction of a boutique resort on the South Cliff under the single window clearance mechanism, introduced to ease business procedures. In contrast, the Varkala municipality itself has issued around 61 notices to various unauthorised structures and violations along the North Cliff. The repeated green lighting of such projects by higher authorities has put the municipality in an awkward position. The double standards have not gone down well with stakeholders who have been served notices. The law should be the same for everyone. If they want to clear all structures, then both the municipality and the government should knock down everything on the cliff. What is happening now is selective enforcement targeting small businesses operating on one or two cents of their own land, said E M Rasheed, owner of Hill Top Ayurvedic Beach Resort, one of the oldest tourism establishments on the cliff. He alleged that corruption among municipal officials is responsible for the mushrooming of unauthorised structures. Environmental activists have filed several complaints against the government-approved violations. Sanjeev S J of the Environmental Protection and Research Council (EPRC), who has submitted multiple complaints, said the Single Window Clearance system is being misused to push through violations on the South Cliff. Massive destruction is happening along the cliff with explicit government approval. The boutique resort with an infinity pool is coming up on the South Cliff without the landslide susceptibility analysis mandated by the disaster management authority, he alleged. He added that piling and demolition work is taking place dangerously close to the 2,000-year-old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple. It is disheartening that the government itself is setting a precedent for violations instead of conserving and protecting the cliff, he said.
Lack of furniture: 700 books stacked on chairs at State Central Library in Thiruvananthapuram
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Giving a bitter sight to book lovers in the capital city, over 700 books have been placed on low-lying chairs and platforms in the Malayalam section of the State Central Library here. When asked about the situation, the authorities stated that the books mostly new had been kept there for nearly a month. However, officials attributed this to the lack of furniture in the library. Even though we have been receiving many books, we do not have enough furniture or racks to keep them, an official said. We even tried to stack them in two rows, but that does not serve the purpose of a library. Moreover, the piles even began falling over the readers. Despite several requests, no new furniture had been provided. As a result, the staff had to shift racks from other parts of the library to accommodate the books, a delay the official attributed to possible bureaucratic issues. The state librarian declined to comment on the matter. While authorities attempted to play down the issue, book lovers argue that this is not just an insult to books but also a sign of disrespect to the readers. Especially during this rainy season, books are very likely to get damp. The library is a place that many underprivileged students rely on, said Aparna S, a post-graduate student and a regular visitor. Aardra A S, a literature student from University College, said that it was very sad to see a space she is emotionally attached to treat books this way. The main purpose of a library is to keep the books sacred. But if they are being kept this way, then there is no point in discussing it further, she said.
Rain likely across Kerala; yellow alerts in 7 districts on November 23
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow alerts for seven districts Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki for Sunday. The IMD has forecast rain or thundershowers across many parts of Kerala over the next six days. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea till Monday. Alert issued Sunday: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki Monday: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Palakkad and Malappuram Tuesday: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki Wednesday: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki
Kerala SIR: List of over 1 lakh untraceable voters to be out
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the enumeration forms for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being distributed to 99.5% of the 2.78 crore voters in the state, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer-Kerala has decided to publish the list of 1.29 lakh voters who remained untraceable owing to various reasons. This constituted 0.47% of the total electorate. Addressing a news conference here on the sidelines of a meeting with representatives of various political parties, CEO-Kerala Rathan U Kelkar said the 1.29 lakh untraceable voters included those who were found to be dead, had permanently shifted their residence, remained absent for a long period or also those who had already enrolled their names in other places. We will publish the names of voters whose enumeration forms have not been returned due to various reasons. This will enable eligible voters as well as the Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of political parties to rectify the issues before the enumeration process ends on December 4, Kelkar said. The official added that collection hubs have been organised at the booth level for voters to return the filled forms to the BLOs. According to Kelkar, around 70% of the enumeration forms have been returned to BLOs. Of these, digitisation has been completed in 31.42 lakh forms (11.28% of the total forms) and the entire process is expected to be completed soon. The official said that voters who have not yet received the enumeration forms should contact the toll-free voter helpline number 1950 or contact their respective BLOs whose contact numbers have been provided booth-wise in CEO-Keralas website. Political parties flay process Meanwhile, political parties in the state, except the BJP, raised concerns over the haste in which the SIR was being conducted in the state. Alleging that SIR was being carried out without addressing peoples concerns, M Vijayakumar of the CPM said no relaxation of the SIR schedule has been provided even though the Supreme Court is considering the legality of conducting the exercise. The Congress and the IUML also raised objections to the pace at which the revision is being carried out. Muhammed Shah of the IUML said BLOs were being asked to hurriedly complete the exercise by November 25 even though the EC-stipulated deadline is December 4. He alleged that it was being done to present before the Supreme Court that 80% of the enumeration forms have been collected back from the voters by November 25.
Two transgender nominees can contest from womens seats: Election Commission
ALAPPUZHA/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a significant acknowledgement of gender self-identification in the local body polls, two trans women Arunima M Kurup in Alappuzha and Ameya Prasad in Thiruvananthapuram have been cleared to contest from women-reserved seats after days of uncertainty and scrutiny over their eligibility. The State Election Commission on Saturday granted permission to Arunima, 26, to contest from the women-reserved Vayalar division of Alappuzha district panchayat, ending prolonged speculation. Confusion had risen soon after the Congress announced her candidature, with opponents alleging she was ineligible as a trans woman. However, Arunima furnished an affidavit declaring she is a woman, supported by her voter ID, Aadhaar card and other records that list her gender as female. She also clarified that she had undergone gender-affirming surgery years ago and is legally recognised as a woman. Citing Supreme Court rulings and Union government provisions on the right to gender self-identification, the presiding officer approved her nomination. A native of Kanjikuzhi, Arunima is the state general secretary of KSU and the first president of the Kerala Pradesh Transgender Congress. In Thiruvananthapuram, UDF candidate Ameya Prasad has similarly been confirmed eligible to contest from the women-reserved Pothencode division of the district panchayat. Her nomination, too, had come under scrutiny after officials noted that transgender candidates can contest only in general seats. With her voter ID listing her gender as transgender, Ameya approached the High Court, which clarified that the returning officer could decide on her eligibility. After verification, the officer accepted her documents identifying her as a woman and approved her candidature. Ameya has already begun campaigning in Pothencode as scrutiny of nominations concluded on Saturday.
Rebels, turncoats pose headache for fronts in Kerala local body elections
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Local body polls often act as a launch pad for new political faces, making them a keenly watched affair. These elections spawn leaders, disruptors, and at times kingmakers. Unlike general elections, voters are often kinder to those hopping from one party to another, finding fault with the policies they had espoused earlier, and contesting on a new label. The cabin of democracy during local body polls is so accommodating that there is room for turncoats and rebels. It is no different this time either. The three major political fronts LDF, UDF and NDA are having to deal with aspirants who can upset their apple cart. In Thiruvananthapuram corporation, where the LDF is locked in a seesaw fight with the NDA to retain power, intra-party feud in at least two divisions are giving the left coalition a headache. Former Desabhimani Thiruvananthapuram bureau chief K Sreekandan, a party member for the past four decades, is contesting from Ulloor ward, an LDF bastion, as an independent. He decided to throw down the gauntlet after the CPM agreed on another candidate. The bitterness prompted Sreekandan to come out against former minister and party strongman Kadakampally Surendran, accusing him of a deal with the BJP. In Chempazhanthy, former CPM local committee member Annie Asokan is contesting as a rebel candidate. The Kazhakoottam block panchayat president from 2004 to 2010, she chose to be a rebel after the party opted for Sheela Mohanan. Annies ire was also directed against Kadakampally. In CPMs sitting ward of Vazhottukonam, former CPM branch secretary K V Mohanan is contesting as a rebel candidate. His justification of going against the party is that a person having real estate interests has been picked as the candidate. For the UDF, too, which is trying to offset the previous electoral losses, is also bogged down by defections. K Maheswaran Nair, a former Leader of Opposition in the corporation and a four-time councillor from the Poojappura ward, has joined the BJP and is contesting from Punnakkamugal. Former Congress leader Padmini Thomas, who had joined the saffron party, is the NDA candidate in the Palayam ward. Another former Congress leader, Thampanoor Satheesh, is in the fray in Thampanoor for the NDA. In Kochi corporation, defection has been the order of the day. In the previous elections, the LDF won 33 seats and managed to garner the support of two independent candidates to grab power in the 74-member council. The UDF won 31 seats, while the NDA and independent candidates won five each. Muslim League rebel T K Ashraf, who had supported the LDF last time and was given the health standing committee chairperson post in return, has made a homecoming and has been fielded as the UDF candidate from North Kaloor. P M Harris, a League councillor and a former public workbns standing committee chairperson, is the LDF candidate against Ashraf. On its part, the LDF has fielded six former UDF councillors to retain power. In Vyttila division, CPM former area committee member V P Chandran has been fielded as an independent candidate by the UDF. In a tit-for-tat response, former KPCC member A B Sabu was fielded by the CPM as their candidate. Thoppumpady councillor Sheeba Durom, who was suspended from the Congress party in 2023, will now contest the election on behalf of the LDF from the same ward. Gracy Joseph, the LDF candidate in Kathrikadavu division, was a UDF councillor and was suspended by the Ernakulam District Congress Committee (DCC) in 2020. Another candidate, M B Muraleedharan, contesting from Vennala, was a three-term Congress councillor and was also the UDF parliamentary party secretary. Former Congress councillor Mary Calista Prakashan, who represented the Mundamveli division, is contesting from the same ward on a CPM ticket this time. Malini Kurup, a three-term councillor, has already left the Congress after being denied the Girinagar seat. This came as a shocker for the Congress which had witnessed its Vyttila councillor Sunitha Dixon joining the BJP and declared as its candidate in Ponnurunni East. Devankulangara councillor Santha Vijayan too defected. In Thrissur corporation, which has a rich history of turncoats becoming kingmakers, there is no dearth of rebels and turncoats this time too. Mayor M K Varghese himself was a Congress rebel candidate after the party denied him a seat in 2020. Varghese won the election and pledged support to the LDF, which cobbled up votes barely enough to catapult it to power. Varghese entered into a pact with the LDF and became the mayor. Former deputy mayor and LDF councillor for 15 years, Beena Murali has announced that she will contest from Krishnapuram as an independent. She had resigned from the CPI after being refused a seat. Janata Dal (S) councillor Sheeba Babu has now joined the BJP and will contest as the party candidate from Kalathode. The BJP too has to endure rebel woes as I Lalithambika, the partys councillor from Kuttankulangara, has deserted the ship. She is contesting as a CPI-backed independent from the same division. UDFs Kuriachira councillor Nimmy Rappai has left the Congress and is now contesting as an LDF-backed candidate. In Kannur corporation, the spotlight for the past 10 years was on P K Ragesh, a rebel Congress leader. He helped shape the corporations political landscape by helping to elect its first mayor, E. P. Latha of the LDF, in 2015. At the time, the UDF and the LDF had won 27 seats each in the 55-member council, while Ragesh secured a seat as an independent after breaking away from the Congress. By extending his support to the LDF, he was made the deputy mayor. However, in 2019, he shifted his stance by successfully backing a UDF-led no-confidence motion against Latha. Later that year, following compromise talks initiated by K Sudhakaran, he rejoined the Congress, paving the way for Congress leader Suma Balakrishnan to become the mayor while he retained the post of deputy mayor. He was expelled in 2023 from the party due to an internal feud. Now, he is working through the Rajivji Cultural Forum, which plans to field candidates in several wards of the corporation under the banner of Aikya Janadhipathya Samrakshana Samithi. Senior leaders who switched sides Former Congress leader K. Maheswaran Nair, ex-Leader of the Opposition in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Now contesting as NDA candidate Thampanoor Satheesh, once a close aide of K Karunakaran, is now contesting for the NDA from Thampanoor Former rebel Congress leader P K Ragesh became deputy mayor under the LDF regime. Now, he leads Aikya Janadhipathya Samrakshana Samithi LDF candidate in Kathrikadavu, Gracy Joseph, was earlier a UDF councillor. She was suspended from Congress in 2020 Muslim League rebel T K Ashraf had supported LDF last time. He has made a homecoming and is now the UDF candidate from North Kaloor in Kochi Thrissurs ex-deputy mayor, CPIs Beena Murali, is contesting from Krishnapuram as an independent CPM former area committee member V P Chandran has been fielded as an independent candidate by the UDF in the Vyttila division of the Kochi corporation Forgiving voters Unlike general elections, voters are often kinder to those hopping from one party to another, finding fault with the policies they had espoused earlier, and contesting on a new label during local body polls
Nomination of transpersons to contest from womens wards accepted
The candidatures of Amaya Prasad and Arunima M. Kurup, fielded by the UDF in Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha respectively, were approved by the respective returning officers on November 22, 2025, thus paving the way for them to contest the civic polls
Rain to gain strength in south, central Kerala; yellow alert for four districts on November 22
Thiruvananthapuram recorded the highest amount of rainfall during the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Saturday
Kerala cybercrime police probe Fake Video of Chief election commissioner
Thiruvananthapuram: A case has been registered by the Cyber Wing of the Kerala Police after a fabricated post featuring a morphed image and edited video of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was circulated on social media ahead of the Kerala local body elections. The misleading content, traced initially to the social media platform X, allegedly Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Case registered over circulation of fake video of Chief Election Commissioner
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A case has been registered after a fake video of the Chief Election Commissioner related to the local body election in Kerala circulated on social media platforms, officials said on Saturday. According to officials, Thiruvananthapuram City Cyber Police registered a case after the fake video was found during cyber patrolling operations on Friday. Police []
1.08 lakh aspirants file papers for local body polls in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As many as 1.08 lakh candidates filed a total of 1.64 lakh nominations for the local body elections scheduled in December, the State Election Commission said on Friday, the last day to file the papers. At 57,227, women aspirants outnumber men. Malappuram had the highest number of candidates and nominations 13,595 and 19,959, respectively while Wayanad had the lowest at 3,180 candidates and 5,227 nominations. The lone transgender candidate from Thiruvananthapuram submitted three sets of papers. Scrutiny of nominations will be done on Saturday. A final picture of those in the fray will emerge after the last date of withdrawing nominations on Monday. In Kannur, six LDF candidates are unopposed. They are K Rajitha and K Premarajan (Anthoor municipality), I V Othenan and C K Shreya (Malapattam grama panchayat), and Rethi P and Reshma P V (Kannapuram grama panchayat).
Party will not protect anyone in gold theft case, says CPM state secretary M V Govindan
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Facing attack from all corners, CPM state secretary M V Govindan has reiterated that the party would not protect anyone in the Sabarimala gold theft case. The culprits must be punished, he said. It is the declared position of the CPM that not even a speck of gold must be misappropriated. The party stands with the devotees. The chief minister had stated in the assembly that stern action would be taken. We did not take the issue on the basis of party politics. CPM has welcomed the arrests made by the special investigation team. The real culprits must be brought before justice, he said. He also made it clear that the party would examine whether there was any lapse on the part of individuals in discharging duties entrusted to them by the LDF government. It would be applicable to all to whom it is applicable. However, Govindan said that CPM would consider disciplinary action against former TDB president and party leader A Padmakumar only if the court finds him an offender. Now he is only an accused in the case. How can we say that he is an offender? Dismissing the oppositions allegations, he claimed that the Sabarimala issue would not have any effect on the local body election. People know that the intention of the government was sincere. The government could have taken a political decision on the appointment of the new TDB president. However, the government went for a consensus choice. He also said the party does not intend to inquire about the gold theft since it does not involve any organisational issues.
Kerala HC breather for ADGP Ajith Kumar
KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Friday quashed a Vigilance Court order directing an inquiry against ADGP M R Ajith Kumar in a disproportionate assets case. The court said the state governments sanction is needed to initiate proceedings against him in the case that had been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Meanwhile, the court also expunged all disparaging and adverse remarks against the chief minister, who had accepted the vigilance reports as part of official duty, in the order issued by the Vigilance Court. The court issued the order on a petition filed by Ajith Kumar seeking to quash the order of the Vigilance Court, Thiruvananthapuram, that rejected the report of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau giving a clean chit to the officer in an allegation regarding amassing of wealth, and constructing a house spending crores of rupees. The court said the governments sanction is needed to initiate proceedings against him in the case that had been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The petitioners in such cases can re-approach the court if the government accorded the sanction to prosecute the ADGP.
164 of 165 CCTVs faulty at Viyyur prison, admits superintendent in court
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a stunning disclosure, the superintendent of Viyyur high-security prison admitted that 164 of the facilitys 165 CCTV cameras are defunct, leaving the prison without meaningful surveillance for over a year. Rajesh Kumar R S made the revelation before the Ernakulam NIA special court on Thursday. Installed on February 28, 2019, the cameras stopped working after the five-year warranty expired. The assistant engineer of PWDs electronics division in Thrissur reported that both the network switch and cameras are damaged, rendering the entire system useless. The court was hearing a petition filed by NIA case undertrial Manoj P M, in which he alleged that he and fellow inmate Azharuddin were brutally assaulted by prison staff following an altercation with the warden on November 13. When the court sought CCTV footage, the superintendent submitted that since the cameras are malfunctioning he could not produce it. The medical records submitted before the court also purported to throw light on the systematic legal and human rights violations at the facility. According to the petition, around 15 jail officials dragged the two prisoners out of their cells after 6pm, in violation of prison regulations that prohibit removal after lock-up. They were allegedly beaten, denied medical treatment, and transferred before dawn the next day -- Manoj to Poojappura central prison and Azharuddin to Kannur central prison -- though a Thrissur district hospital doctor advised further treatment for Manoj. Manoj claims that he was further beaten up by Poojappura prison staff. He was reportedly admitted to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital, after he began a hunger strike. The medical reports submitted to the court state that the patient sustained trauma to head and abdomen around 5pm on November 13. He had sustained severe injuries including subcutaneous hematoma to left premaxillary, left frontal and left periorbital region. He also alleged that while his plea to file a complaint was denied, a counter complaint was registered against him for allegedly assaulting prison staff. Unimpressed by the explanations of both the superintendents of Viyyur and Poojappura prisons after they failed to produce Manoj on a video call, the two-member NIA court on Thursday directed the superintendent of Viyyur prison to appear in person on November 24. The superintendents of central prison Poojappura shall produce the accused personally on the 24th, the order said.
Mobile units lying idle as ABC project grinds to halt post SC order in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme in Kerala has come to a grinding halt following the recent Supreme Court directive prohibiting the release of sterilised dogs back into the same locations. Local bodies across the state have stopped catching stray dogs for sterilisation, as the court has mandated that they be relocated to shelters instead. With the stray dog crisis worsening, the state government has decided to write a letter to the Centre urging to amend the ABC rules. In the absence of shelters, ABC programmes across the state have landed in trouble. The newly launched mobile ABC unit is also lying idle, as the captured dogs cannot be released or accommodated anywhere. An official told the TNIE that after the inauguration they were planning to launch the operations of the mobile ABC unit immediately. The SC order came as a bolt from the blue and if we capture the dogs for sterilisation we cannot release it back. Hence we have put on hold its operation, said an official source. The mobile ABC unit was launched on a pilot basis at Nedumangad municipality in Thiruvananthapuram as an emergency strategy to address the growing stray dog attacks. The portable unit designed with the support of the Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL) and the NGO CAWA comes equipped with facilities for two simultaneous surgeries, a fully air-conditioned theatre, generator, refrigerator, and a Wi-Fi-enabled camera monitoring system. Minister for Animal Husbandry, J Chinchu Rani, told TNIE that the existing ABC rules need to be revised in light of the current situation. The ABC rules should be rewritten. We dont have any shelters in the state, and people are even against the setting up of ABC centres. Its a densely populated state, we simply dont have the land for shelters. We are going to write to the Centre soon, as the recent SC directive contradicts the ABC Rules themselves, said Chinchu Rani. She said the suspension of ABC operations could lead to an increase in stray dogs. Other states are also facing the same problem. Because of the ongoing LSG polls, we havent been able to make any immediate interventions, but more discussions will be held soon to find a solution, she said.
Kerala leaders say grassroots politics shapes stronger ministers, legislators
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It is not the MLA or minister you call when a water pipeline ruptures or a death occurs in the locality. Neighbourhood concerns tend to be the domain of ward members or councillors. But, these representatives may not always remain the guy next door. Local-body polls have given rise to several prominent political figures in Kerala. From panchayats and municipalities, to halls of assembly and Parliament, TNIE talks to some of the key figures whose political careers began at the institutions of grassroots democracy. General Education Minister V Sivankutty, who was the Thiruvananthapuram corporation mayor from 1995 to 2000, termed the local-body polls the toughest political test. The key is in fostering personal ties with voters. Here, politics takes a back seat. People mostly vote for individuals. Your voters are your extended family, he said. Higher Education Minister R Bindu, who served as Thrissur mayor (2005-10), said the experience one gains by working as a representative in a local body is unmatched, adding that it serves as a guide for all politicians. In my ten years in Thrissur corporation, I have directly interacted with people living in slums, erstwhile colonies, and many more. When you are part of local bodies, you understand the issues of commoners. The experience has helped me in my tenure as a minister, she added. A legislator who has had a stint in a local body knows how to combine peoples issues with the development needs of the state or country, Bindu said. My tenure as mayor helped me understand the dynamics between local bodies and government, and how they plan and execute projects, she added. Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan, who was a member of the Pampady grama panchayat, in the 1988-93 period, said his days as a panchayat member taught him how people must be accorded prime priority in a democracy, and that politicians work for the welfare of these citizens. Unlike legislative assemblies or the Lok Sabha, local bodies deal directly with people, which gives its members a hands-on idea of their views and desires. Once the youngest municipal chairman in the state on being named to lead the Angamaly civic body in 1979, Congress leader K Babu recounted how others had doubts when a 28-year-old was placed in that position. People naturally expect a seasoned politician to hold the office. However, when I was elected, I decided to interact with people from diverse backgrounds, which later strengthened my political journey, he said. The Tripunithura MLA said there was the larger trend of local-body members contesting assembly or Lok Sabha polls, which has given way to fresh faces being named as candidates. Kollam MP and RSP leader N K Premachandran fondly recalled his days as the panchayat member of Navaikulam -- which according to him laid the founding stone of his political career. The best takeaway from being the member of a local body is the ability to distinguish what is good and bad for people, especially when it comes to ministerial positions, Premachandran said. Speaking of his tenure as Thiruvananthapuram mayor (2015-19), Vattiyoorkavu MLA V K Prasanth said ground work is key in politics. People should understand that we work for them, which is what I did being part of flood-relief activities. When your work is seen, they will help you help them, he remarked. The teamwork and coordination do not happen overnight, but is the result of years of effort, said Prasanth. My stint in the corporation was a mix of ground-level interaction and office work, both of which have helped me in my political journey, he added.
Former TDB chief Padmakumar conspired in Sabarimala gold theft, says SIT report
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president and senior CPM leader A Padmakumar played a direct role in the alleged gold theft at Sabarimala by conspiring with the co-accused, the police remand report filed before the Kollam vigilance court says. Padmakumar, who was TDB president when the alleged offence took place, was arrested on Thursday after hours-long interrogation. The remand report, details of which were accessed by the TNIE , said Padmakumar ignored guidelines, which barred the displacement of temple wealth, and connived with the co-accused to move the gold-clad sheets to Chennai on the pretext of repair. He also identified gold-clad copper sheets as copper sheets in the agenda notice of the board meeting held in March 2019. This, the report said, was done deliberately to ensure first accused, Unnikrishnan Potti got hold of the gold sheets without hindrance to carry out the pilferage. SIT searches Padmakumars house, to seek custody today The report added it was on Padmakumars insistence that then TDB secretary S Jayashree issued an order sanctioning Potti to receive the gold-clad sheets. When the sheets were brought back from Chennai, Padmakumar did not examine the artefacts to ascertain their condition, which was a lapse on his part, it said. Meanwhile, the SIT probing the case searched Padmakumars ancestral home in Aranmula on Friday afternoon. The seven-member team aimed at recovering crucial documents linked to the crime. The team will seek Padmakumars custody on Monday. The co-accused in the case had told the SIT that Padmakumar took the final call on moving the artefacts from the temple to Chennai. He had denied the allegations and told the probe team that the subterfuge was the handiwork of TDB staff. The SIT had earlier arrested former TDB president N Vasu, former Sabarimala administrative officer Murari Babu, former Sabarimala executive officer Sudheesh Kumar, middleman Unnikrishnan Potti and former Thiruvabharanam Commissioner K S Biju in connection with the case.
Decision on transgender candidates plea on gender to be taken today
Amaya Prasad contesting the Pothencode division of the Thiruvananthapuram district panchayat approaches Returning Officer to get her gender changed into female in the EPIC
Thiruvananthapurams Gen Z has something to say
Kerala is once again sliding into the election season, with the local body polls set to be held on December 9 and 11. Across the state, walls are sprouting posters, flex boards, and party colours. Small campaign offices have appeared in lanes and junctions. Political parties have now placed their candidates on the field, and campaigning is in full swing. But this election has a new audience watching from the front row Gen Z. The 13-to-28 crowd, stepping into civic life with a mix of scepticism, curiosity, and the tech-era clarity. Some are voting for the first time; others are just beginning to understand the dynamics of local governance what a ward is, what a panchayat does, who controls the streetlights, why a pothole doesnt get fixed for months..... Whether they know it or not, Gen Z has emerged as a decisive force in this electorate, and the future that these elections are building towards. Here is a sample of how Gen Z views the local body polls, how connected they feel to the political process, and what changes they hope to see in the city once the results are announced on December 13. Chalai Market needs a makeover Gokul S Vijay, 24, social media manager Its been four to five years since the renovation work began at Chalai Market, but we still havent seen much progress. The condition of the roads in and around the market is poor. Large vehicles pass through very narrow lanes, creating congestion. Almost all major market-related activities in the city depend on Chalai, but the physical space and infrastructure there are not enough to handle the volume of business. A complete and well-planned redevelopment of the market is one of the urgent needs. Compared to many other districts, Thiruvananthapuram maintains its roads reasonably well. However, parking remains a major issue, especially in busy areas like Thampanoor. Another important concern is waste management. While waste is collected regularly, I have heard that much of it is sent to Tamil Nadu cement plants for burning. That means we still do not have a fully functional and sustainable waste management system, and this needs to be addressed seriously by the new administration. Gokul S Vijay Adwaith Nair Focus on suburban roads Adwaith Nair, 17, Class 12 student I have become more familiar with the candidates and political discussions this year. But the excessive noise from campaign vehicles and loudspeaker announcements are disturbing. The roads in suburban/rural areas are in bad shape. Improving them should be a priority. Also, many students do not always want to study at home, so setting up small community libraries or study spaces in each locality would be a great support. Need more spaces like Manaveeyam Veedhi Xavior Raymond, 25, content writer Among Gen Z, there is a strong sense of awareness, even if society assumes otherwise. Most of us have our own individual politics, even if we dont always express them through party affiliations. Over the past five years, Thiruvananthapuram has seen major improvements in infrastructure, roads, and waste management. But one thing the city still needs is more public spaces where people can gather, relax, and enjoy the evenings like Manaveeyam Veedhi. Compared with cities like Kochi, Thiruvananthapurams nightlife is still limited. More such open community spaces in the city would make a big difference. Xavior Raymond Bhadra Vineeth Mohan Campaigns often ignore flats Bhadra Vineeth Mohan, 17, Class 12 student I used to live in a flat until recently, so I was not very exposed to the election process as campaigns rarely reach apartments. This time, candidates visited our house, which was new to me. If you ask me, one major area where the local body needs to improve is Primary Health Centres. I often go with my grandmother, and while the facilities exist, the atmosphere is not hygienic. Many essential services, like scans, are not always available there. Strengthening these will provide affordable private care. We also realised, when my grandmother became wheelchair-dependent, that many public places in the city lack proper accessibility. Improving infrastructure and making the city more disability-friendly should be a priority for the next local government. Need more streetlights Aksana Mujeeb, 18, psychology student With the ongoing road works, commuting has become difficult. And many places still dont have proper streetlights, which makes travelling at night unsafe. For students like me, the only free time is after college, which is usually at night. To feel safe while going out, measures like well-lit roads and better security should be ensured across the city. Aksana Mujeeb Archana Sathyan, Need a safe city Archana Sathyan, 20, engineering student I hope for a city where we can move around with freedom and without fear. The local body has an important role in ensuring this by installing and maintaining proper streetlights, setting up CCTV cameras in public spaces, and making roads and walkways safer for women. These are basic responsibilities that can directly improve safety, especially for youngsters who travel. Youth gives hope Abhimanyu Jaala, 24, freelance journalist Since the last two election cycles, political parties have been giving more space to young candidates. This gives me hope. One urgent issue we must address is the drainage problem. Even a small spell of rain leads to flooding in the city, causing inconvenience and disruption to daily life. Despite being one of the most well-planned cities in Kerala, this remains a major challenge that needs immediate attention. Abhimanyu Jaala
Sabarimala gold theft case: Fall from grace for ex-TDB chief Padmakumar from Pathanamthitta
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Crisis has engulfed the ruling CPM with the arrest of its senior leader A Padmakumar in the Sabarimala gold theft case. Padmakumar, the eighth accused in the case, is currently a member of the partys Pathanamthitta district committee. The 68-year-old former MLA was the partys strong leader in the district when he was appointed president of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). But he failed to rise to the expectations of the government and the party in implementing the 2018 Supreme Court verdict allowing entry of women of all ages to the Sabarimala shrine. His public comment that no woman in my family (in the restricted age group) would visit the shrine had put Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the party on the defensive. After the completion of his tenure at TDB, the party did not assign Padmakumar with important positions except the district secretariat membership. In March this year, Padmakumar again put the party in trouble, when he aired resentment over the inclusion of Health Minister Veena George, much junior to him, into the partys state committee. He told mediapersons that organisational experience should be considered while elevating leaders to higher forums of the party. Party state secretary M V Govindan said Padmakumars open remarks were against partys discipline. He was excluded from the partys district secretariat after the state conference meeting this March. A native of Aranmula, Padmakumar started his political career during student days and later held several positions in the partys youth wing and feeder organisations. He represented the Aranmula constituency in the assembly from 1991 to 1996.
Five accused of killing 18-year-old in Thiruvananthapuram surrender
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Five people, including the main culprit involved in the murder of an 18-year-old youth near Thycaud on Monday, surrendered before the court. Jagathy natives, Ajin aka Jobi, 27, Abhijith, 26, Kiran, 26, Valiyavila native Nandu, 27, and Panniyode native Akhil Lal, 27, surrendered before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on Thursday and were remanded in judicial custody for 14 days. The five had fled to Tamil Nadu after fatally stabbing Allan, a native of Rajaji Nagar, while he was mediating a clash between two groups. Ajin is listed as the prime accused as it was he who allegedly stabbed Allan. A habitual offender having several criminal cases against him, Ajin used to carry sharp-edged weapons with him. The police had earlier arrested three people, including a 16-year-old student of the Model School, in connection with the murder. The police said clashes between two football clubs one based in Jagathy and the other in Rajaji Nagar - culminated in the violent death of the teenager. The two clubs had a bad blood towards each other after a fight during a football match held in Thycaud recently. A series of clashes erupted thereafter between them. To ease tensions, the groups finally decided to attend a reconciliation meeting. However, the minor boy, who was a member of the Jagathy club, brought with him seven people having criminal inclination, who attacked the rival group members. It was amid the affray they stabbed Allan.
SIT arrests ex-TDB chief Padmakumar in Sabarimala gold theft case
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Putting the CPM in a precarious position ahead of the local body elections, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold theft case on Thursday arrested senior party leader and former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A Padmakumar. A former MLA from Konni and CPM Pathanamthitta district committee member, Padmakumar was arrested after the SIT questioned him for hours in an undisclosed location in the state capital. The police had earlier listed the board of 2019 as the eighth accused in the case pertaining to theft of gold from the door frame of the sreekovil. Padmakumar was the TDB president when the alleged offence took place. Padmakumar was earlier issued notices to appear for questioning, but he did not comply citing personal matters. On Wednesday evening, the SIT asked him to reach Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. The co-accused in the case, who were arrested earlier, had reportedly testified that Padmakumar took a final call on moving the artefacts from the temple to Chennai. However, Padmakumar denied the allegations and told the interrogators that the subterfuge was the handiwork of the TDB staff. Later in the evening, he was produced before the Kollam Vigilance Court, which remanded him in judicial custody for 14 days. The senior CPM leaders arrest at a time when the state is on the verge of an election is expected to have major political ramifications as the UDF and the BJP have already targeted the ruling Left front on the issue. Sensing trouble, the LDF is set to launch counter attack. The special probe team had arrested former TDB president N Vasu and charged him for conspiracy, falsification of records and involvement in the gold theft. Padmakumar and Vasu to be quizzed together The case against Vasu was built on the basis of the statements of the former board officials who were arrested by the SIT. The probe team reportedly got statements from the arrested persons about the involvement of Padmakumar in the case. Its learnt that the SIT got leads suggesting Padmakumar had directed the co-accused, including former TDB staff, to record the gold-plated copper sheets of the dwarapalaka idols and the door frames as copper in official records. The SIT had learnt that the prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti shared close ties with Padmakumar. The SIT will now question Padmakumar and Vasu together to unearth finer details of the case. Vasu, who has close ties with the CPM leadership, was arrested in connection with the theft of gold from the door frame of the sreekovil. Vasu was the devaswom commissioner when the gold-plated sheets were allowed to be taken out and transported to Chennai for maintenance work. The charge against Vasu was that it was on his directive the gold-plated copper sheets were recorded as mere copper plates in official documents. During that period, Padmakumar was the TDB chief. The SIT has so far arrested six people, including former Sabarimala administrative officer Murari Babu, former executive officer Sudheesh Kumar, middleman Potti and former Thiruvabharana Commissioner K S Biju.
Trans woman moves Kerala HC to contest from women-reserved seat in Thiruvananthapuram
KOCHI: Amaya Prasad, a trans woman candidate of the Congress, approached the Kerala High Court on Thursday seeking a directive to the returning officer to accept and process her nomination under the women-reserved category for the Pothencode division in Thiruvananthapuram, and to permit her to contest the election as a woman in accordance with her legally recognised gender identity. In her petition, Amaya said she is a trans woman who has undergone complete medical, psychological and legal transition, and has been officially certified as female under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. She said she seeks to contest the upcoming district panchayat election from Pothencode division, which is reserved for women. On November 19, when she approached the returning officer to file her nomination, she was informed that, in the absence of an express provision in the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act or Rules allowing trans women to contest from women-reserved seats, her nomination was likely to be rejected and that she must obtain directives from the High Court. This stance, Amaya argued, violates her statutory right to a self-perceived gender identity. Amaya said several court orders had recognised that transgender women are entitled to be treated as women for all legal purposes, including political participation. The court admitted the petition and issued notices to the State Election Commission and the Union and state governments.
INTERVIEW |We stand to gain from BJPs frailties, LDFs governance failures: Congress' Muraleedharan
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Outlining his partys assessment of the states political landscape, in a conversation with TNIE , Congress leader K Muraleedharan contrasts the UDFs 2020 and 2025 strategies, and responds to the LDF claims on governance and welfare measures. Excerpts: How has your partys election strategy evolved from the 2020 local-body polls? Since 2015, the UDF, which used to be the principal opposition in Thiruvananthapuram corporation, has been pushed to a distant third place. The absence of a mayoral candidate created the perception that the front was not taking the election seriously. At the same time, the BJP made inroads in several pockets. The situation has now shifted. The BJPs position has weakened following two high-profile suicides for which the party has been blamed, and many votes that had drifted to the BJP are now returning to the Congress. The LDFs governance failures, together with the Sabarimala gold-theft controversy, have further improved the political climate for the UDF. In the previous two elections, we lost minority support because voters backed the LDF out of fear of a BJP surge. With PM SHRI signed and JD(S) recognised as an LDF ally, rather than a BJP partner, we expect those votes to come back to the Congress. What message does the Congress want to convey in this election? A clear majority of local bodies are now governed by the LDF, but the question for voters is why that should continue. Over the past five years the state government has taken decisions that have undermined local bodies. One clear example is the reduction in their source funds, which has weakened local governance and delivery. Congress is campaigning to restore financial autonomy and support for local institutions. How do you respond to the LDFs claims of achievements in governance and welfare measures? Those announcements are election theatrics. Raising welfare pensions by the amount they propose would impose a fiscal burden of around Rs 10,000 crore, yet the government has given no credible plan for raising those funds. The pre-election announcement of a metro project for Thiruvananthapuram is a stunt. The project first proposed by the Oommen Chandy government was opposed by the LDF then. With major traffic disruptions on the Pallipuram-Kazhakoottam NH stretch, construction can only begin after the highway work is completed, making the announcement an impractical election gimmick.
Kerala Govt to spend Rs 200 crore on local body polls
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Elections are a costly affair. Setting up booths, ensuring facilities, paying poll officers, everything costs money. This local body elections, the state government will be spending around Rs 200 crore, up from the nearly Rs 169 crore that it spent in the 2020 elections. For a state that has 2.83 crore eligible voters this time, it would come to about Rs 70 per vote. The money would cover a range of expensesfrom EVMs and stationery to officers training, logistics, polling station arrangements and remuneration for the poll officers. Why the escalation? Inflation and increase in voter base are among the reasons for the cost escalation, say sources. This time, Kerala has 2.86 crore people eligible to vote in the December polls. In 2020, this was 2.76 crore voters. Elections to local self-government bodies require more manpower and establishment arrangements. As per the present estimate, the spending will be about Rs 200 crore, maybe even higher. It is natural for costs to go up each successive election. The cost of materials and arrangements, be it training programmes or stationery items, will be higher than what it was five years ago, a source says. As per the source, many of the payments are of an urgent nature, like that for logistics or arrangements at booths like lighting, water or cleaning up the premises. Steady rise In the 2015 elections, the government spent Rs 88 crore, a 35% rise from the Rs 65 crore it spent in the 2010 elections. The 2020 elections witnessed a 92% rise from the previous election. However, the Rs 168.82 crore the government spent in 2020 did not cover all poll-related expenses, like salary and establishment costs of State Election Commission, which came to around Rs 4.10 crore that year.
Panchayats in Kerala turn self govts with pioneering projects
KOCHI: From reducing carbon emission, fighting cervical cancer, and reviving rivers to radio park for elders, palliative care, menstrual hygiene, and veterinary care on wheels...the projects implemented by local bodies in Kerala over the last five years have been innovative, diverse and people-centric. The state governments achievements in digital literacy and extreme poverty-eradication were made with the support of local bodies. Around 152 local bodies have joined the net-zero carbon campaign to cut greenhouse gases, ensure safe disposal of waste and implement energy efficient practices. The degree for all scheme implemented by West Kallada panchayat, the journey of happiness taken up by Aruvappulam panchayat for the disabled, the music troupe for disabled launched by Elikulam panchayat and the Bhoomika biodiversity park project of Kodakara panchayat are examples of pioneering and unconventional projects launched by rural local bodies. Local bodies in Kerala have transformed into local self governments and have more responsibilities and functions, too. During the past five years the state government distributed Rs 70,000 crore to local bodies as development fund, maintenance grant and special purpose fund. No other state has implemented such devolution. Besides, special drives for digital literacy and eradication of extreme poverty were successfully implemented with active participation of local bodies, Local Self-Government Minister M B Rajesh told TNIE . The Planning Board has a resource group that provides guidelines on identifying projects. Besides, there is a core coordination committee headed by the minister which helps local bodies streamline projects based on guidelines. Representatives of all departments are members of this committee, which meets every month. We have published guidelines for implementation of projects in local bodies. When they come up with innovative ideas we hold discussions on making them feasible. Projects that do not fall under guidelines are considered by a state-level committee, said Planning Board member and resource group head Jiju P Alex. The state governments achievements in digital literacy and extreme poverty-eradication were made with the support of local bodies. For its part, the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) provides training to elected representatives and employees of local bodies. Over the past five years, it bagged two national awards for capacity building of local bodies. Kodakara panchayat transformed an abandoned funeral ground into a biodiversity park by availing funds from the state biodiversity board and the CSR initiative of Apollo Tyres. A butterfly garden, herbal garden, sacred grove and Miyawaki forest have all been developed on the 74-cent plot. A gymnasium, yoga centre and library function in the space previously used for funerals, says panchayat president Ambili Soman. In 2024, Perumbadappu panchayat in Malappuram won the national award for initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation and livelihood protection. The panchayat has spent Rs 2.72 lakh for poverty alleviation, points out president Bineesha Mustafa. In 2023, Alappuzhas Veeyapuram panchayat won the award for best self-sufficient infrastructure. Manickal in Thiruvananthapuram was second in the best panchayat category at the 4th National Water Awards instituted by the Jal Shakti Ministry for implementing schemes for revival of rivers and enriching water resources.
Amid political storm in Sabarimala, Left set for counter campaign
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Six years after the Sabarimala protest that unsettled the LDF during the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the hill shrine has once again become the centre of a political storm on the eve of local body polls in the state. With the UDF and the BJP targeting the ruling Left over Sabarimala fiasco, the LDF is all set to launch a counter campaign. At the ground level, the CPM is feeling the heat of the gold theft conspiracy with both opposition fronts accusing the former of trying to shield the real culprits. The CPM has decided to come out in the coming days to defend the government. A detailed campaign is being planned with various measures such as public meetings and house visits. The party state leadership will stand by its declared position that the party would not protect the guilty. Though the CPM leadership and the LDF government have chosen to distance themselves from the gold theft incident, the arrests of former TDB presidents N Vasu and A Padmakumar, have put them on the defensive. We have nothing to hide, said a CPM state secretariat member. The chief minister and the state secretary have said that those who are responsible will be brought to justice. The position taken by the government and the party that the Left would not interfere in the probe or protect the guilty has sent out a message among the masses that we have nothing to hide, he said. It is the responsibility and liability of the accused to prove their innocence. Our cadres would explain this position to the public, he added. The Congress and BJP have already made the overcrowding at Sabarimala, and the High Court remarks a central theme in their campaigns. Both parties see an opportunity to polarise Hindu majority votes, similar to the 2018-19 Sabarimala protest, said political analyst Ajith Sreenivasan. If the CPM fails to find a way out of the situation, it may face setbacks in the upcoming polls, he added.
Kerala local body polls: LDF to base campaign on Attingal model
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first municipality in the district and the third in the state to have won the ISO certification for citizen services, Attingal is a key area to look upon, not only on the political front but also in development aspects. The municipality was formed even before the country attained Independence. The picture of the local body election is all set here, with the ruling LDF planning to root its campaign on its Attingal-model development claim, and the opposing UDF and BJP raising practical issues like revenue generation and town hall construction. Attingal had been the fortress of the Left since 1979, with the Congress coming to power only once in 2000-2005. BJP made its maiden entry into the council in 2005, with one seat. While UDFs seats reduced from 13 in 2010 to five in 2015, BJP rose from one to four seats in the same period. An ambitious leap happened for the party when it managed to win seven seats in the 2020 elections, pushing Congress to third place. However, following the resignation of two councillors and LDFs victory in both seats in the bypolls, the party once again came back to third position. On the other hand, the by-election result is another factor of motivation for the LDF, as the leaders do not consider BJP to be a strong force here. We were able to provide housing, food and water connections to almost all people here, said municipal chairperson S Kumari. Over 62 families were brought out of the extreme poverty tag by providing documents like the Aadhaar and ration cards, ensuring their housing and food requirements. Pointing out the repeated bagging of ISO certification, LDF candidate and former municipality chairperson Pradeep M said that they have achieved an Attingal model of development. The improved health facilities, including the setting up of multiple dialysis units, skill development and employment programmes have been successful, he said, adding that the front is expecting another tenure in the municipality. However, he remarked that more development work needs to be done, especially in the Kachery junction. Upon being asked about the displacement of roadside traders during the National Highway widening, Pradeep stated that all procedures went legally, noting that only one case remains pending in court. In contrast, opposition councillors argued that influential individuals were unaffected, while only small-scale traders faced displacement. Congress candidate and Ambalamukku councillor K J Ravikumar rejected all claims made by the Left leaders. Except for the Attingal bus stand income and the tax paid by people, the Left councils have not implemented any projects that generate revenue for the municipality, he said. Terming that the best period of the municipality was when the Congress governed it and won the Swaraj Award for the best municipality, he alleged the CPM and BJP of having adjustment politics, which is even reflected in the declaration of candidates. On the other hand, the BJP is trying to centre its campaign around real-time issues like the eight-year-long construction of the Town Hall. If voted to power, we would definitely speed up the construction activities, BJPs Karichiyil ward councillor Jeevanlal C S said. Stating that only private firms are benefiting from the job fairs hosted by the municipality, he added that the party has several youth-oriented projects too. Attingal is an RSS-stronghold, and we expect that too to translate into votes, he said.
Beauty is most beautiful when it is simple. Trust a neurosurgeon, someone who has studied the labyrinths within the brain, saying that. The contours are difficult to manoeuvre, yet their beauty lies in their precision. Surgical precision. Immersed in one of her favourite paintings with an injured hand. Dr Usha Shajehan, who was a neurosurgeon for over two decades, probably understood the simplicity of beauty best through her profession. Her paintings, to be exhibited at the Vylopilly Samskriti Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram from November 22 to 26, will reflect this understanding amply. The 140 paintings that will be on display were created over the past year. A friend, Leela, the wife of Prof. I S Gulati, urged me to take up painting again. I had not painted for the entirety of my career, when complex brain surgeries filled up my time, says Dr Usha. During that phase, there was no mood for colours or sketches. But somewhere within me lingered a passion that had been awakened long ago, when I was 18. A friend named Sreedevi saw my biology sketches and told me I could sketch and paint. That stirred something within me. I did some artworks then, but on entering the medical world, I kept them as a cherished memory. Dr Ushas painting spree restarted last year when she was asked to touch up some prints of Jamini Roy that hung on Leela Gulatis wall. That exposed me once again to the world of paintings, she says. Some of Dr Usha's works: Quiet Majesty 'Ignite your soul' From then on, it was quite a passion unleashed. I painted relentlessly over 140 frames in a year. Some days, it used to be more than two paintings. Dr Ushas paintings reflect her penchant for simplicity, as does her attitude. What I see around me is a beautiful piece of poetry called life. And that is what strikes me the most. I want to paint it in all its lucidity. It shouldnt spark any intellectual tug-of-war, she says. Aligned with this thought, she paints an elephant basking in all its majesty, letting nature reveal itself through little nuances. So too are her watercolours of the verdant life in the woods. The gurgling ponds, stretches of greenery around softly undulating hills, and wildlife that reflects a quiet contentment in serene, simplistic environs. 'Waiting' 'Guardian Angel' It is the simple, organic happiness that I wanted to capture. Thats what most people seek. Havent you seen how works by Raja Ravi Varma or Jamini Roy even now fill souls with a unique sense of charm and calm? The beauty of nature, of life, of everything around me that naturally, seamlessly, and effortlessly stretches beyond the apparent towards the innate is what appeals to meand what I paint. I dont go looking for it. It just happens. I call it a higher influence a touch of grace or a feeling of oneness, quite Advaitic in a way, says the Kochi-born doctor based in Thiruvananthapuram. Drs Usha and Shajehan She loves working her brush inspired by the photographs taken by her husband, Dr Shajehan Shivasankara Pillai, who was also a neurosurgeon. He is an avid photographer, whose works form a body on their own. We travel quite a bit, and these journeys inspire both of us. I also take inspiration from his photographs and paint accordingly, says Dr Usha, who is also a keen cyclist, swimmer, and explorer. The couple quit medicine three years ago. We had enough of the field, although we enjoyed every bit of it. We felt it was time to delve into something that connected with our core, says Dr Usha. I learnt a lot from my profession diligence, nuanced discipline, steadfastness, and above all, fast and precise work. These now help me in pursuing my passion. Dr Ushas upcoming exhibition will be inaugurated by her good friend, Wing Commander S K G Nair (retd), who will do the honours in a very informal manner. If celebrities come to inaugurate, it becomes more of a publicity gimmick. I responded to a friends request to conduct the exhibition. Yet, to me, this is a very personal space. I wish to share it with those who want to be in the same space. The paintings selected too are that way, she says. The slow pace Dr Usha has tuned herself to defines most of her paintings, which are classified into collections such as Sunset, Waterscapes, Divine Presence, Fields, and Light and Shade. There are works in different media too watercolour, pastels, acrylic, etc. 'A Taste of the Past' I am an untrained painter who learnt the colour choreography all by myself. Training would have stripped me of my instinct. The instinct, I feel, is natures way of connecting to me, she says, pointing to her first oil pastel, painted at the Vazhalikkavu Bhagavathi Temple at Thozhupadam in Thrissur. I painted with a sling because I had injured my arm in a fall. But the entire scene created in me an undying urge to paint. I titled it Ignite Your Soul to show how the call from the soul cannot be ignored.
Murder of a merchant without a past
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Long before police pieced together the lies he lived and died for, Harihara Varma built a life like a man who knew how to stay just outside the reach of questions. He sold gemstones whose origins he never fully explained, claimed ancestral links he never proved and told stories so confidently that even seasoned buyers found themselves leaning in. It was these tales that drew a group of young men into his orbit, ultimately paving way for his demise. What happened on December 24, 2012, was a murder wrapped inside a scam. Varma walked into what he believed was a business deal with buyers from Karnataka who posed as high-profile men looking to acquire rare and precious stones. In truth, everything about that meeting was scripted, a trap the gang spent seven months constructing. They used SIM cards acquired using fake Aadhaar cards. They created a fictitious persona the son of a Karnataka minister to make the deal look grander. A lawyer, the sixth accused, was the middleman. The meeting place was the lawyers daughters locked house in Vattiyoorkavu. The police would later say the planning was almost immaculate. But as retired Intelligence Range SP R Prathapan Nair, who was part of the Special Investigation Team, puts it, No matter how meticulous, there will always be a lead. Harihara Varma In this case, the lead was a phone number the killers thought they had erased. All their devices were destroyed after the murder, every SIM discarded. But one phone number they had used to contact Varma, eight months earlier, resurfaced under the Vattiyoorkavu mobile tower on the very day the murder took place. It was enough. Once police pulled that thread, the rest of the conspiracy was solved. The gangs plan was not to kill him but to sedate him, take the stones and disappear. When negotiations failed and Varma refused to finalise the deal, they tried sedatives and then chloroform. The dosage went wrong, and the robbery turned into homicide. But the real mystery of the case was not the murder. It was the man at the centre of it. Police soon realised that very little about Harihara Varma was real. His tales of a Poonjar ancestral lineage and inherited jewels were fabrications. His documents raised more questions than answers. To this day, officers believe he might have been an orphan, someone who ran away in his teens, wandered across northern India, and slowly built a new identity. The police made enquiries to various royal families. However, they couldnt find anyone named Bhaskara Varma and his son Harihara Varma. Even the stones that drove the conspiracy turned out to be far less valuable than believed. Then assistant commissioner, now Kozhikode Rural SP K E Baiju, recalls how the team searched across the country for an accredited gem expert to authenticate Varmas collection. There was none. The stones were eventually deemed semi-precious, worth about `30 lakh together, nothing to justify the greedy fantasy that led to his death. They thought it was worth `300 crore, says Baiju. Varmas wife, Girija Menon, later moved the court, saying some stones had ties to the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. But since the investigation could never establish anything substantial, thecourt later dismissed it. She had lived with him for more than 15 years. Yet, even when the investigation reached its most crucial stages, his wife did not disclose his identity. I believe she knows. But we cannot force them into polygraph tests, adds Baiju. The case was later handed over to the crime branch. They found 3,647 gemstones, which included 65 pearls, 73 emeralds, 22 chrysoberyl stones, 4 rubies, 5 sapphires and 29 yellow sapphires. Several were brilliantly cut, some were unpolished, some were of doubtful quality, and 341 of them were later determined to be artificial. However, a geologist who examined them would testify that 3,306 stones were naturally formed precious stones, even if not all were high-value gems. The killers Jithesh, Ajeesh, Rakhil, and Ragesh were eventually convicted and handed life sentences. Joseph and lawyer Haridas were acquitted. The murder investigation was closed with clarity. However, the tale of Varma, his origins, his curated persona, and his secrets remain unresolved to date. The man left behind no verifiable past. CasE diary This weekly column brings you exciting, intriguing police stories, straight from the crime files
BJP holds mega meet with candidates, promises development in Thiruvananthapuram
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP on Wednesday held a mega meeting here with the 101 NDA candidates contesting in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation elections, assuring that the party would ensure comprehensive development in the state capital if voted to power. Addressing the public, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the party would present a detailed development plan for the city within 45 days of assuming office, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would also be present for the announcement. We will present our development plan within 45 days. Every year, we will release a development assessment report. The BJP guarantees a corruption-free administration. Each ward will have modern health centres. We will ensure all these, he said. Attacking the LDF and UDF, Chandrasekhar said both fronts had failed the capital city on key issues. What have the UDF and LDF done for Thiruvananthapuram - be it the stray dog menace, waste management, or drinking water supply? They have done nothing. Give the NDA a chance, and we will deliver development, he said. Referring to the Lok Sabha election, Chandrasekhar alleged that he lost due to a CPM-Congress fixed match.
BJP team to visit Sabarimala, file report to Centre on lapses
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior BJP leader P K Krishnadas said in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday that a BJP team will be visiting the Sabarimala in the coming days to assess the facilities at the hill shrine and submit a detailed report on the serious lapses to the Union government. He said the party would soon announce the members of the visiting team, adding that BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar had already briefed the Prime Minister on the situation. Our team will visit Sabarimala in the coming days, and the ground report will be submitted to the Centre at the earliest. The state government is playing politics with Sabarimala. This situation has to change, he said. The BJP will not remain a silent spectator as issues mount at the hill shrine, he asserted. Krishnadas said out that the party has already launched a statewide signature campaign on the Sabarimala issue. Asked about the state BJP leaderships letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah in October demanding a CAG audit, a CBI probe into the alleged Sabarimala gold theft, and comprehensive auditing of temples, he said the Centre would respond soon. The BJP leader also accused the state government of neglecting basic arrangements such as drinking water, medical care and infrastructure. He alleged that Rs 110-crore drinking water project sanctioned five years ago remained incomplete and that devotees in medical emergencies were being taken to Konni Government Hospital, which, according to him, lacked adequate facilities.
Neyyatinkara braces for tight fight as LDF, UDF eye majority
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Neyyatinkara municipality one of the oldest local bodies in the state is set for a tight fight as the LDF and UDF prepare to lock horns, while the BJP aims to increase its seats. Though the LDF has traditionally held a strong presence, the last term saw a shift in momentum with the UDF securing 17 seats in the 44-member council. LDF which is ruling the municipality has 18 members while BJP has 9 seats. Located near the upcoming Vizhinjam International Seaport, Neyyatinkara holds vast development potential. However, the municipality continues to suffer from a slew of civic issues ranging from traffic congestion due to delayed NH works, bad roads, ineffective waste management, and lack of basic infrastructure. Developing Neyyatinkara into a major satellite city aligned with the infrastructure demands of the Vizhinjam Port, improving motorable roads, setting up an industrial estate, heritage conservation, and establishing a multiplex theatre are among the main offerings by all three political fronts LDF, UDF and BJP. Both the LDF and UDF claim that there is no triangular fight and that the real contest is between them, asserting that the BJP is not in the picture. Both fronts claim that the BJP will not increase its seats, let alone manage to win the same number it secured last term. After delimitation, the number of wards in Neyyatinkara Municipality has increased by two. The new wards are Chemmanthattu and Therannur, taking the total number of wards to 46. CPM Neyyatinkara area secretary T Sreekumar said that the LDF will return to power more strongly this time. The LDF has fielded young candidates, with only five candidates above 50 years of age. He said that the LDF is planning a slew of development activities to elevate Neyyatinkara into a model city. Once the Vizhinjam Port becomes fully operational, Neyyatinkara is set to witness major development in tourism and allied industries. Our aim is to bring development aligned with the port. We plan to create a comprehensive tourism circuit within the municipality by connecting all key destinations. A multiplex theatre complex is lacking here, and a major thrust will be given to conserving and developing the cultural and heritage aspects of Neyyatinkara. As for the elections, the BJPs seat share will come down this time, and the real contest will be between the LDF and the UDF, said T Sreekumar. The UDF is hoping to win a minimum of 25 seats and capture the Neyyatinkara municipality. The recent allegations of sexual harassment and abetment of suicide against UDF municipal councillor Jose Franklin have put the party on the defensive, though the UDF maintains that the controversy will not affect its electoral prospects. District Congress Committee general secretary Vinod Sen said that the LDF has failed to carry out basic infrastructure development in any of the wards and that this will reflect in the local body elections. The municipality is lagging 15 years behind because of the lack of development. We have announced all our candidates without any internal issues or fights, and we were able to launch the campaign. We are confident that we will win this year. He alleged that the ward delimitation was done in such a way that the CPM and BJP gained advantage. The reservation has come as a blow to the BJP, and in many of their sure seats they are now fielding women candidates against their plan, he said. Meanwhile, the BJP is hopes to increase its presence in the municipality. At present, the party holds nine seats in the 44-member council. S K Jayakumar, a BJP candidate, said that the LDF and UDF have been ruling the Neyyatinkara Municipality for decades, making it one of the most poorly developed municipalities in the state. Our aim is to bring the development that this 112-year-old municipality truly deserves. The LDF has failed to bring any development that matches the growth happening around us. We want to change this and ensure real development, said Jayakumar.
School students from Tiruppur visit ISRO, Thiruvananthapuram
The students witnessed the planetarium show and exhibits of rocket models, and a space capsule
Engineering students develop software to track EVMs
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two engineering students have developed a software to track the movement of more than half a lakh electronic voting machines (EVMs) to and from polling stations in the local body elections. Named EVM Track, the software was developed by Ashin C Anil and Jeswin Sunsi, third-year BTech students at SRM Institute, Chennai, under the supervision of State Election Commissions EVM consultant L Suryanarayanan. Ashin hails from Thiruvananthapuram, while Jeswin is a native of Thrissur. The software was formally launched by State Election Commissioner A Shajahan on Tuesday. EVMs that includes 50,693 ballot units and 1.37 lakh control units have already been subjected to first-level checks and are ready to use.
Parties tap womens networks to fight Kerala local body elections
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Political parties in Kerala are increasingly turning to women-centric grassroots networks such as Kudumbashree, ASHA workers, and the Haritha Karma Sena to identify promising candidates for the upcoming local body elections. With their deep connection to households and communities, many women find the transition from social service to electoral politics remarkably seamless. Like other states, Kerala also mandates 50% reservation for women in local self-governance under the Panchayati Raj Act, 2005. Since its implementation, womens participation has steadily expanded, with many now contesting even in general wards, breaking beyond the confines of reserved seats. According to officials, scores of members belonging to these women-centric networks are contesting local body polls. ASHA workers are one such force who have unmatched reach within communities. Consistent household visits, health surveys, mobilisation for immunisation drives, and child welfare interventions have given them a trustworthy image in society. There are around 26,000 ASHA workers in the state. 57-year-old Sunitha C, an ASHA worker since 2007, is contesting from the Chethukadavu ward of Kunnamangalam block panchayat. This is her second stint in electoral politics, having earlier served a successful five-year term between 2015 and 2020. A mother of two, Sunitha credits her family for their unwavering support. Things have changed. Women today are more empowered and capable of excelling in any field. I feel more women should come forward. Many are still hesitant, but they must step into the mainstream and inspire others to break the shackles, she said. Her long association with the community helps her campaign effortlessly. People are very welcoming because they know me well as an ASHA worker. I have always balanced both my responsibilities without compromise, she added. Another women-centric network Kudumbashree continues to be Keralas largest pool of women leaders. Its vast neighbourhood network of over 45 lakh members provides women exposure to livelihood activities, community engagements making them natural leaders with social commitment. According to Kudumbashree officials, hundreds of Kudumbashree members are contesting elections and in Thiruvananthapuram alone more than 50 women members are contesting. Anitha Y V, 49, is contesting her first election from the Peringamala ward under the Venganoor grama panchayat. A Kudumbashree member for the past 20 years, Anitha says the mission transformed her personality and confidence. Before Kudumbashree, I was a homely person. Today, I am who I am because of it. Im contesting from a general ward, and people already recognise and support me. I believe voters across political divides will back me, she said. She added that the gender divide in politics is slowly narrowing. Despite reservations for women, many are now contesting in general wards too. People are raising issues like poor road conditions, which will be a priority for me, she added. Just like Kudumbashree and ASHA workers, members of the Haritha Karma Sena - the backbone of Keralas decentralised waste management system - are also emerging as candidates in the upcoming local body polls. Their daily engagement with households and public spaces has made them familiar faces in their communities and strong contenders in electoral politics. There are around 37,000 Haritha Karma Sena members in the state. 41-year-old Sheeba Suresh, who is contesting from the Chenkulam ward of Pooyapally panchayat, sees the election as an opportunity. Politics has long been male-dominated, but things are slowly changing, and Im happy to be part of that change, said Sheeba, who has been a Haritha Karma Sena member for the past eight years. Sheeba believes her close interactions with residents will work in her favour. People know me well because of my work. If I win, I want to ensure my ward and public spaces remain clean and hygienic, she added. Senior politician K K Shailaja said that womens reservation has played a crucial role in bringing hundreds of women into the political mainstream. ASHA workers, Kudumbashree members, and Haritha Karma Sena workers contest elections because they are trusted in society and deliver excellent services. The past two local body elections clearly show a surge in such representation. Women are not just confined to reserved seats; many are confidently contesting from general wards as well, Shailaja said. Why parties turn to women-centric groups Deep household-level reach High public trust due to service roles Natural transition from community work to politics Asha workers: Health network turning political force 26,000 ASHA workers in Kerala Daily household visits and health surveys build strong public rapport Many entering electoral politics; trusted for reliability and visibility Kudumbashree: Keralas biggest women leadership pipeline 45 lakh members across neighbourhood groups Exposure to livelihoods and community work builds leadership traits Hundreds contesting polls; 50+ in Thiruvananthapuram alone (till date) Members widely recognised due to long community engagement Haritha Karma Sena: Waste-warriors turn candidates 37,000 members in Kerala Daily contact with households through waste collection Strong familiarity with residents makes them natural contenders
Thiruvananthapuram IS case catches NIA interest
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The partner of the United Kingdom-based woman, accused of indoctrinating her teenage son to join the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organisation, is the brother of a convict in the Kanakamala IS module case, police said. This has evoked NIAs interest and the national agency is now closely monitoring developments, they said. Sideeq, brother of the womans partner Ansar, had served three years in prison and was released early this year, police said. It was Sideeq, who got the boy admitted in an orphanage near Attingal upon his arrival from the UK. Though the boy did not mention Sideeqs role in the alleged offence which took place in the UK, police said the involvement of the man has aroused their interest in the case, and has caught the attention of the NIA. The Venjaramoodu police had registered a case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) on the basis of the boys complaint. As per the FIR, the boy gave a statement that Ansar showed him IS propaganda videos, including violent killings, and tried to groom him to join the terror group. The woman, who hailed from Nedumangad, had married the boys biological father, who hailed from a Muslim family in Pandalam. She was a Christian who converted to Islam after the marriage. They later moved to the UK. Ansar blackmailed boy, states FIR Their marriage hit a rough patch after Ansar entered their lives. Reportedly a family friend, Ansar soon got close to the woman. The statement given to the cops by the boy said his father did not like the proximity his mother had with Ansar, and parted ways with her. Ansar played ISIS-related songs to motivate him to join the group. His mother too endorsed Ansars view. When his parents were away, Ansar took the boy to a group of men, who spoke Arabic and were referring to guns and funeral prayer. Ansar gave him cigarettes and encouraged him to smoke. Later, Ansar threatened the boy that he would tell his parents about his smoking habits if he revealed to them about the videos, the FIR said. The boy is very close to his father and he told the cops that he wants to move back to the UK to join him. His mother, who is now in the state, told the cops that the boy was sent back to Kerala as he used to misbehave with his younger sister.
Keralas best panchayat readies for poll battle
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Over 30 kilometres away from the heart of Thiruvananthapuram city lies a panchayat which made the state proud recently. Earning the 53rd rank in the list of best grama panchayats of the country in the Mission Antyodaya rankings and becoming the state topper, the Parassala grama panchayat had made significant strides in some key areas, including education and healthcare. While the ruling LDF plans to bank on its achievement for the upcoming local body polls, the UDF is trying to regain the lost terrain by countering these claims. The BJP is also aiming to score well here, expecting to gain ground by increasing its vote share. Attributing the Antyodaya achievement to the panchayat governing boards efforts to continue those of its predecessor, panchayat president Manjusmitha L said that they tackled multiple issues pragmatically. The Parassala crematorium, which became fully functional during our tenure, helped us manage the bodies of people who died of Covid, not just from here, but also from different parts of the city, she said. Manjusmitha highlighted the newly inaugurated buildings for the hospitals here, including the Parassuvaikal Family Health Centre and Ayurveda Hospital. Being a panchayat which shares borders with neighbouring Tamil Nadu, many residents of that state also avail facilities of our hospitals, she said. Smart classes have been introduced to five out of seven government lower primary schools here. Politically, Parassala grama panchayat had not been a forte of any fronts, as LDF and UDF used to switch power after every five years. However, LDFs consecutive wins in the last two councils have increased the spirit of the party, its members said. Many key measures, including a good auditorium and proper management of agriculture, were taken by the LDF councils, said Sunil M, the member of Muriyathottam ward. However, the opposition parties are claiming that the council has failed miserably in implementing grassroots-level welfare activities. While acknowledging that some development was brought in the school education sector, Congress leader Vinayanadh V R said that they were surprised when the rankings came out. There is not even a proper panchayat office for Parassala today. As Railways acquired the land where we had the erstwhile office, now the office is functioning in what was built for an AC hall, he said. Criticising the councils boasting of its giant leap in the health sector, Vinayanadh alleged that the newly constructed buildings of the Siddha and Homoeo hospitals are yet to be opened to the public. Amplifying another common problem, he alleged that the byroads of the panchayat continue to be in a dilapidated state. Highlighting a grave issue, Vinayanadh also mentioned that the residents of the panchayat are facing an acute water crisis in most of its regions. Even though the panchayat governing board says that the water distribution is only a key issue in certain areas, they hope the issue will be resolved to a large extent once the ongoing water tank construction is completed. Claiming that there is strong anti-incumbency among the commoners, Vinayanadh said that even the leftist people have expressed their willingness to vote for them. Though political differences exist, the BJP candidate of the panchayats Nediyamoodu ward, Ajayakumar M, opined that the current council has been performing relatively well. However, there are still areas to improve-- including the speedy construction of the much-needed bus terminal at Karali, he said.
National Mission on Tuber Crops proposed for popularising tuber crops
Proposal presented at the 20th International Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops under way in Thiruvananthapuram
District Business Reform Action Plan is a State-driven exercise enabling States to take the lead in driving business reforms at the district level as part of ease of doing business initiatives
Strict action promised after obstruction of BLOs work in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Rathan U Kelkar on Wednesday said that stringent legal action will be taken against those who obstructed the work of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Malappuram and Idukki districts. BLOs are constitutionally nominated officers working for the Election Commission. We have asked the district collectors to initiate strict criminal action against whoever obstructs this work, as per Section 121 of the BNS, the CEO said at a press conference here. He added that collectors have also been asked to approach the local police for support in case of any issues related to the BLOs duties. Kelkar further stated that legal action will also be taken against individuals who launch cyberattacks against BLOs and spread fake news and misinformation. Stating that over 97% of enumeration forms have already been distributed across the state, the CEO said some BLOs have begun the digitisation process. Over 5 lakh forms have already been digitised, he said. Earlier in the day, Kelkar had appreciated the BLOs for their efforts in completing this stage of the process. According to the CEO, more than 55,000 individuals have been marked by the BLOs as untraceable. These categories include shifted, deceased, duplicates, and others. Over 29,000 people have been identified as deceased, 20,000 as shifted, 3,800 as duplicates, and more than 4,500 as untraceable. The specific details of this will be released in the next all-party meeting scheduled for this Saturday, Kelkar said. He noted that urban areas in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam remain challenging for distributing the enumeration forms. Expressing condolences to the family of Payyannu BLO Aneesh George, who died by suicide while executing the SIR process, Kelkar said the district collectors report has already been sent to the Election Commission. We also reiterate that all kinds of possible support will be extended to Aneeshs family, he said, adding that the investigation is underway. Addressing concerns raised by BLOs who did not report to work on the day of the strike following Aneeshs death, Kelkar said that no action will be taken against them. We understand their sentiments. This is also misinformation, which demotivates the BLOs who have been working efficiently, he said. The CEO also clarified that rumours about action against BLOs who fail to adhere to the deadline are fake. He refuted allegations that certain district collectors are threatening or pressurising BLOs to complete their work on time. Commenting on the support from political parties, Kelkar said there has been an increase of more than 4,000 booth-level agents in the process. BLOs have been instructed by the CEO to organise meetings with BLAs nominated by recognised political parties to ensure maximum accuracy and transparency. They can easily identify and avoid duplication, he said.
Watch: Names of children killed in Gaza read out in Thiruvananthapuram
Manaveeyam Veedhi in Thiruvananthapuram turned into a space of remembrance on November 16. People gathered on the cultural street to read out the names of children killed in Gaza, making sure their identities were not lost in numbers. The event, called The Names of Gaza and organised by the Chinta Ravi Foundation, brought together activists, civil society members and ordinary citizens.
Two Middle East-Bound Flights Diverted to Thiruvananthapuram Due to Bad Weather in Colombo
Flights from Istanbul and Dammam carrying over 400 passengers were safely diverted to Thiruvananthapuram before continuing to Colombo once weather cleared
Two international flights diverted to Thiruvananthapuram due to dense fog in Colombo
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Dense fog at Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo) on Wednesday morning led to the diversion of two international flightsa SriLankan Airlines service from Dammam and a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbulto the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. The Turkish Airlines flight, carrying 258 passengers and 10 crew, landed in Thiruvananthapuram at 6.42 am and departed for Colombo at 8.38 am. Similarly, SriLankan Airlines flight UL-254, with 180 passengers and eight crew members, landed here at 7.04 am and later left for Colombo at 8.48 am. Airport sources said dense fog severely reduced visibility at the Colombo airport, prompting the morning flights to divert as a precautionary measure.
Two Sri Lanka-bound flights diverted to Thiruvananthapuram airport due to bad weather
The Dammam-Colombo flight and the Turkish Airlines flight will depart for their destinations once weather improves in Sri Lanka, say airport officials
UDF manifesto for T'Puram corporation to focus on drinking water, roads & waste management
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the local body election campaign moves to the second phase, the UDF will release its manifesto for Thiruvananthapuram corporation this week. Congress campaign chief K Muraleedharan said the document focuses on voter priorities, fixing drinking-water shortages, repairing roads and improving waste management, and not just on high-tech promises. We are taking our pledges door to door. First we produced a chargesheet on the LDFs corporation rule, now we will present our manifesto, he said, adding that the party will highlight local governance failures while also raising state-level issues. Muraleedharan alleged widespread tampering of the voters list, citing the issues involving Muttada candidate Vyshna Suresh and Kozhikode mayoral hopeful V M Vinu as examples. KPCC discussed these issues and decided to take them up at the state level. Meanwhile, the candidates are moving ahead with their campaigns, said Muraleedharan. According to him, Vyshnas attempts to correct erroneous entries were rejected. Stressing on the importance of projecting a mayoral candidate, Muraleedharan, said BJPs mayoral candidate R Sreelekhas comments would backfire on her. Her criticism of Kuthiyottam ritual associated with Attukal Pongala, portrayal of NSS institutions as bribe takers and her stand against killing stray dogs would not only impact her and the BJP, he said. He also criticised S P Deepak, the CPMs mayoral candidate, for making disparaging comments against the protest of ASHA workers. He pointed out the unscientific aspects of ward delimitations, citing examples of Beemapalli and Pangappara wards. In the corporation, Beemapalli South and East were merged. While Beemapalli ward has the maximum number of voters at 17,000, Pangapara has just 3,000 voters. If Rs 1 crore is being allocated to the local bodies, the ward with 17,000 people and that with 3,000 people would get the same amount, he said, stressing the how the scenario could lead to disproportionate distribution of funds.
Two held for stabbing of 19-year-old to death in Thiruvananthapuram
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two youths have been arrested in connection with the murder of a 19-year-old youth who was stabbed to death on Monday while trying to stop an argument over a football match. The Cantonment Police arrested Sandeep, 27, of Jagathy and Akhilesh, 20, of Kunnukuzhi. A minor student is also in police custody. The 16-year-old boy from Jagathy is being questioned. Sandeep and Akhilesh, who are the sixth and seventh accused in the case, are currently under arrest. Sandeep, who has been accused in several criminal cases, is also a KAAPA accused. Both were produced in court and remanded on Tuesday. Meanwhile, police have received information about the person who stabbed Alan but he is absconding. In addition to the prime accused, three more persons believed to be involved in the murder are yet to be caught. Suspecting that the accused may receive help, police have taken their fathers and some of their friends into preventive custody for 24 hours. The murder was the result of a dispute that began a month ago during a football match between two local clubs. On Monday, groups gathered for a settlement discussion, but clashes broke out. According to police, one group called in Sandeep and the minor during the clash. They arrived armed. Around 5pm on Monday, Alan, was beaten up with a helmet by a group near the Sree Dharma Sastha Temple in Thycaud, and then stabbed to death.
56-day-long murajapam festival to begin November 20
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Murajapam-Lakshadeepam festival, held once in every six years, will begin at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple on Thursday (November 20). The inclusion of Atharva Veda in the murajapam, the ritualistic chanting of vedas, will be a novelty this year. The 56-day-long festival involves the recital of vedas culminating with the Lakshadeepam, lighting of one lakh lamps, on the Makar-Sankranti which falls on January 14. In the past editions, only Rigveda, Samaveda and Yajurveda were recited. Vedic scholars from across the country attend the event which was started during the reign of King Marthanda Varma. This year monks from the Sringeri, Uduppi, Uttaradi and Kanchi Kamakodi mutts and Chinna Jeeyar Swami from Hyderabad will participate. Keralite scholars include Azhvanchery Thambrakkal, vadhyans from Tirunavaya and Thrissur, vaidiks from Kaimukku, Pandal, Kaplingad and Cherumukku. During murajapam, vedas are chanted in seven cycles or muras, each lasting for eight days. Each cycle ends with a colourful procession named muraseeveli in which the priests carry the festival idols of Lord Sree Padmanabhaswamy, Lord Narasimha Swamy and Lord Thiruvambadi Sreekrishna Swami in decorated vahanas. The procession will be accompanied by Moolam Tirunal Rama Varma, head of the erstwhile Travancore royal family. Poojas will be led by thantris Govindan Namboodiripad, Pradeep Namboodiripad, Satheesan Namboodiripad and Saji Namboodiripad. Vedamandapas will be set up on the four nadas of the temple. Pushpanjali Swamiyar Oravankara Achutha Bharathi will light the deepam on the vedamandapam on the east nada at 4.30pm on Wednesday, temple administration committee members said on Tuesday. Cultural programmes will be held during the festival days. Telugu actor Rana Daggubati will inaugurate the cultural programmes titled Vande Padmanabham at 5pm on Thursday.
Minor pushed to join ISIS, mother & stepdad booked under UAPA in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state police have booked a UK-based woman and her husband under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for allegedly trying to indoctrinate her 16-year-old son to join ISIS. The Venjaramoodu police registered the case against the boys mother and stepfather based on his statements. The matter came to the polices attention after the woman lodged a complaint against the teen accusing him of molesting his younger sister. It was filed in apparent retaliation to the boy leaving to stay with his biological father. When the boy was questioned, he told the police that his mother and stepfather allegedly tried to draw him to the terror outfit by showing him indoctrinating videos. As per the police, the woman had converted to Islam and was previously married to a man from Pandalam. They were settled in the UK. She later separated from him and married a Vembayam native, who lived in the UK with his brother. The alleged indoctrination bid took place when the teen stayed with them.
SIR: Mosques lead way in filling forms in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid apprehensions over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and lingering doubts that exclusion from the final voters list could create grave trouble in future, several major mosques in the state have opened help desks to assist the public in completing the formalities. Thiruvananthapurams Vallakkadavu mosque - one of the biggest jamaaths in the state comprising about 25,000 members - was the first to take the initiative. It set up a help desk in the first week of November, urging mahal members as well as the public to seek its assistance in filling the enumeration form. Soon, several other committees - notable among them being Balaramapuram town mosque, Chemboor mosque in Thiruvananthapuram, Panavally Thekkum Bhagam mosque in Alappuzha and Badriya Masjid in Chavakkad - followed suit and set up dedicated teams of volunteers to help the public complete the formality. Dr Anvar Nazar, secretary of Vallakkadavu mosque committee, said the initiative was getting a good response and hundreds of people had so far sought their service. According to him, the biggest hurdle for the people was to find their names in the 2002 voters list. Most of them did not know which booth they had polled their votes during that time. Some also had confusion regarding furnishing of the form. For such people, we filled their forms after finding their names in the 2002 voters list, he said.
The local road to Kerala assembly polls
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In Keralas political landscape, local body elections have become a crucial precursor to the assembly polls that are held soon after. The results of the civic polls over the past three decades have shown that the front that sweeps the local bodies often goes on to capture power in the state. Except in 2000, when LDF and UDF were almost tied in terms of the number of local bodies won, and in 2010 when UDF registered its only clear victory, all other local body polls went in favour of the LDF. Notably, when the LDF broke the four-decade jinx and formed a second consecutive government in the state 2021, it had performed equally well in the local body polls held the preceding year. Civic body elections can be surely called a trendsetter for the assembly elections, opined political scientist Prof G Gopakumar. According to him, anti-incumbency sentiment against the LDF government is strong this time. However, it will reflect more in the 2026 assembly election. So, the LDF has some advantage in the local body polls, he said. It was in 1995 that the local body elections were first held under the three-tier panchayat system. LDF registered a landslide victory in both rural and urban local bodies in the inaugural elections. It also paved way for the LDF to form the government in the state in 1996, the next year. The civic body polls of 2000 resulted in an almost evenly balanced outcome between the LDF and the UDF with neither front achieving a clear, dominant victory. However, as Keralites had been religiously voting out incumbent governments since 1977, LDF lost to the UDF in 2001. Four years later in 2005, the LDF bounced back securing absolute majorities in approximately 90% of the municipalities, block and grama panchayats. The very next year, the CPM-led alliance romped to power in the state assembly by winning 98 of the 140 seats in the assembly. According to political observers, 2010 was the only local body election in which UDF outshone the LDF by a convincing margin. Barring the five corporations where LDF registered a 3-2 upperhand, UDF trounced the LDF in all other civic body tiers. The BJP proved its presence, securing around 450 grama panchayat wards and also winning six seats in the Thiruvananthapuram corporation. A year later in 2011, UDF managed to form a government in the state, though with a wafer-thin margin. On predicted lines, the stellar performance of the LDF in the 2015 civic body polls helped it capture power in the state a year later. Also notable were the significant gains registered by the BJP in the 2015 election. Palakkad became the first municipality in Kerala to come under BJP rule. Besides registering a five-fold increase in its seats in Thiruvananthapuram corporation where it emerged second, the saffron alliance also saw its overall vote share rise to 13.28%. In the 2020 local body elections, the ruling LDF proved poll pundits wrong by registering a clear upper hand over UDF in rural and urban civic bodies, withstanding the anti-incumbency factor. The polls held amid the pandemic, saw the BJP-led NDA capturing power in 19 grama panchayats and two municipalities. BJP, once seen only as a vote cutter, is now an emerging third force. If the UDF loses heavily in the local body polls this time, it will have no hope for the 2026 assembly election. But even if it is a tie, UDF can certainly look forward to capture power in the state, Gopakumar said.
BLO workload allegations CPM, Congress agenda: Muraleedharan
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ahead of the local body elections, senior BJP leader V Muraleedharan speaks to TNIE about the partys position on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), of electoral rolls, the recent controversies related to officials poll-related workload, and the BJPs expectations, particularly in Thiruvananthapuram. Key excerpts: BJP was the only party that supported implementing SIR amidst the local body elections. Recently, a BLO in Kannur died by suicide, and his family claims it was due to SIR-related workload. Has the BJP now changed its stand on SIR? The district collector has already clarified that the incident in Kannur had no connection with the SIR. A large percentage of employees engaged as BLOs belong to the CPM and Congress. Thus, they are making such allegations based on political interests. What pressure do BLOs face? The public fill out the forms, BLOs only have to distribute them to households. This is purely political agenda of the CPM and Congress. There is no change in BJPs stand on SIR. It is essential to prevent bogus voting. Congress alleges CPM engages in bogus voting in Kerala, yet it opposes SIR. It is contradictory. What are the first major decisions usually ken by BJP-led panchayats, corporations, and municipalities? We generally prioritise issues related to roads, waste management and drinking water. Thiruvananthapuram is considered the BJPs strongest local body. Will the recent suicides affect its poll prospects? The party has already responded to that issue. So it wouldnt be appropriate for me to comment further. Do you see this local body elections as an assessment of the governments performance? Every election is an evaluation of the government and the local administration. This election too is the peoples assessment of the governments performance. What is your message to voters? People have realised that development will not happen under the UDF or LDF, which have ruled so far. Voters should support a change, and for that, they should back the NDA.
Sabarinadhan files nomination for Thiruvananthapuram Corporation polls
Heavy rain disrupts normal life in southern Kerala
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority issued an orange alert for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Alappuzha districts applicable for the next 24 hours.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The prolonged suspension of young IAS officer N Prasanth has emerged as a rare and contentious episode in Keralas bureaucratic history, with the duration stretching beyond one year. The ongoing tussle between Prasanth, a 2007 batch IAS officer, and Chief Secretary A Jayathilal has drawn significant attentionnot only within the IAS fraternity but also across social media, where Prasanth enjoys considerable popularity as Collector Bro. Prasanth was originally placed under suspension in November 2024 after he levelled serious allegations against Jayathilak, accusing him of file tampering, document fabrication within the states e-office system, and other irregularities. Several senior IAS officers say they cannot recall any other officer in the state serving a suspension period exceeding a year, a factor that has made his case particularly noteworthy. The latest twist came earlier this month, when the suspensiondue to end in Novemberwas extended for another six months. The order, issued by the Chief Secretary on November 4, just a day before the suspension was set to lapse, extends the period to May 6, 2026. The move, reportedly made with the concurrence of the Centre, surprised many within the bureaucracy. Since Prasanth continued his fight against the Chief Secretary even during the suspension by posting more allegations online, I expected some action. But I never thought the suspension would be extended for six more months, a senior IAS officer said. Under the All India Services (AIS) Rules, the suspension of an officer in cases not involving criminal or corruption charges cannot ordinarily exceed one year. Officials say the administration bypassed this limitation by citing new disciplinary proceedings initiated against Prasanth. Another senior officer said the young IAS official should have pursued his grievances through official channels. In my personal opinion, it would have been better if Prasanth had fought the system internally instead of making public allegations. If such conduct is tolerated, it sends a wrong signal, the officer said. Among younger officers, the episode is being viewed as a defining clash between junior and senior ranksone that could set a precedent for future internal disputes. I have no idea how this case will end. Since Prasanth continues his fight even after the extension of suspension, it has become unpredictable. Whatever the outcome, this will remain a lesson. Many junior officers are already being warned by seniorsremember the Prasanth casewhenever they show signs of dissent. So the outcome is crucial, a junior IAS officer said. With the confrontation intensifying, several eminent retired IAS officers feel the issue should be resolved quickly instead of dragging on as a prolonged tussle. I cant recall any IAS officer in Kerala being suspended for more than a year. I personally dont want this suspension to extend further and hope this tussle ends soon, a former chief secretary said. The loop November 9, 2024: Prasanth made serious allegations against Jayathilak on social media. November 11, 2024: Acting on a report submitted by the chief secretary, the Kerala government suspended Prasanth for alleged violations of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules. December 2024: A formal charge memo was served to Prasanth, accusing him of publicly vilifying senior colleagues and engaging in conduct unbecoming of an IAS officer. January 2025: The Suspension Review Committee (SRC) extended his suspension by another 120 days, till the end of April 2025. April 2025: The suspension was extended again for six months, up to November 2025. July 2025: The government appointed a two-member panel to carry out a detailed inquiry into the disciplinary charges. November 2025: As Prasanth completed one year under suspension, he continued to make serious allegations against senior bureaucrats. His suspension was extended further by 180 days.
Tharoor at it again, praises PM Modi's 'emotional mode' speech
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor sparked a fresh controversy on Tuesday by praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi again. In a post on X, Tharoor said he attended an event in Delhi where Modi spoke of India's constructive impatience for development and strongly pushed for a post-colonial mindset. Praising Modi's speech, Thiruvananthapuram MP said, The PMs address served as both an economic outlook and a cultural call to action, urging the nation to be restless for progress.Glad to have been in the audience despite battling a bad cold and cough! PM emphasised that India is no longer just an 'emerging market' but an 'emerging model' for the world, noting its economic resilience, he added. PM Modi said he'd been accused of being in 'election mode' all the time, but he was really in 'emotional mode' to redress the problems of the people. A significant part of the speech was dedicated to overturning Macaulay's 200-year legacy of slave mentality, Tharoor said. PM Modi appealed for a 10-year national mission to restore pride in India's heritage, languages, and knowledge systems. Tharoor's remarks on the PM's address come days after the Congress leader kicked up a row when he said that reducing veteran BJP leader L K Advani's long years of service to one episode, however significant, is unfair. He was reacting to criticism over his birthday greetings for Advani. The Congress had distanced itself from his remarks and said Tharoor speaks for himself, and the fact that he continues to do so as a CWC member reflects the party's democratic and liberal spirit. Tharoor had earlier slammed dynastic politics across political spectrum. He said that the influence of Nehru-Gandhi dynasty has cemented the idea that political ladership can be a birthright, as he argued that it is high time that India traded dynasty for meritocracy. The BJP latched on to Tharoor's remarks, calling it a very insightful piece on how Indian politics has become a family business. (With inputs from PTI) Attended PM @narendramodi s #RamnathGoenkaLecture at the invitation of @IndianExpress last night. He spoke of India's constructive impatience for development and strongly pushed for a post-colonial mindset. The PM emphasized that India is no longer just an 'emerging market' pic.twitter.com/97HwGgQ67N Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 18, 2025
Kerala Mother, Stepfather Charged Under UAPA For 'Luring' Son To Join ISIS
A 16-year-old boy from Thiruvananthapuram was allegedly persuaded to join the Islamic State by his mother and stepfather, prompting police to register a UAPA case.
KOCHI: The Cardiological Society of India (CSI), Kerala Chapter, has issued a strong statement condemning the circulation of false and misleading media reports across India that wrongly linked Dr Arif Mohammed, a young cardiologist from Kozhikode, to the recent Delhi bombing incident . Several media outlets and social media posts have misused Dr Arifs photograph and identity, causing severe distress to him and those around him. Dr Arif, who is currently working at the Metromed International Cardiac Centre in Kozhikode, completed his DM in Cardiology from Thiruvananthapuram Medical College in 2021 and has no connection whatsoever with the incident in Delhi. Terming the incident 'deeply disturbing,' Dr P K Asokan, President, CSI Kerala, said the careless publication of incorrect information has inflicted immense mental trauma on an innocent doctor, his family, and the medical community. An innocent professional has been dragged into a situation he has nothing to do with. The reckless circulation of his picture and personal details is unacceptable. We urge authorities to intervene urgently, stop the spread of this misinformation, and take strict action against those responsible, Dr Asokan said. The CSI Kerala Chapter emphasised that the episode underscores a major lapse in responsible journalism and fact-checking practices. Media houses and social media users must verify facts with utmost care. Publishing unverified information can destroy reputations and lives, Dr Asokan added. In the statement issued by Dr P K Asokan, president, and Dr Jo Joseph, secretary, the organisation has called upon all media outlets to immediately retract the erroneous reports, issue clarifications where necessary, and exercise restraint in future reporting. The public has also been urged not to share or amplify misleading content.
Keralas growing artsy socks business
In Thiruvananthapuram, far from the usual global fashion circuits, a small group of friends are experimenting with socks. The project started three years ago. They never imagined how far the idea would eventually take them. Now, the project has turned into Haspo a brand that exclusively designs socks. Hapso didnt begin as a business idea at all. It grew out of an art community called Happyccino, formed five to six years ago by engineers, designers, photographers, and self-taught artists who simply wanted a space where creativity felt accessible. They gathered over coffee, small workshops, and started experimenting with wall and pebble arts. We were constantly thinking about how to bring our designs into a real, but unique, product. We tossed around a lot of ideas, but nothing felt like us. Around that time, I saw a friend receive a pair of bright, funky socks as part of a Google Local Guide reward. It caught my attention. We had never seen socks with that kind of design language here, says Vijith V S, co-founder of Hapso. So Vijith started digging deeper. Thats when I realised there was an actual business opportunity. Big brands like Nike, Adidas, and Jockey all make socks, but theres barely any innovation. The designs look exactly the same. When I brought this up with the group, the idea clicked. That conversation eventually became Hapso. Vijith, along with other co-founders Anees S S and Ananthu S B, began researching textile technology, knitting constraints, the challenges of manufacturing, etc. They discovered that India had only a handful of homegrown designer sock brands, and almost none operating in south India. Minimum order quantities were intimidating. Getting the right materials and reliable manufacturing partners took time. Still, the idea felt aligned with the collectives creative instincts, so they kept going. And two more joined the core team, Amal Dev and Nanda Gopan. Before we committed to production, we designed around forty concepts and sent the mock-ups to friends across different age groups. They ranked them by preference, and the top seven or eight became our first collection. The response was way beyond what we imagined. At a small stall at the Olam festival, we sold 500 pairs in just three days, he says. Nanda Gopan, Amal Dev, Ananthu S B, Anees S S, Vijith V S Hapsos early collections leaned into this playful spirit, with cotton socks featuring fun and expressive visuals. As they grew, the team pushed deeper into material innovation. They began working with bamboo fibre, drawn to its antimicrobial properties, comfort, and durability. This led to designs suited for athletic use, expanding their customer base to those looking for performance-oriented options. What surprised the team was that people never bought just one or two pairs. Many bought sets of four or five, mixing designs the way people collect small artworks. As Hapso expanded its catalogue from an initial eight designs to around fifty today, orders also started coming from outside India. Right now, we are already present across major e-commerce platforms. We are even exploring something that is still unusual in India a first-of-its-kind all-socks store. Its a long-term goal, but we hope to introduce the concept soon through retail showrooms in cities like Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi, the founders say.
Teen stabbed to death amid clash near Thycaud in Thiruvananthapuram
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a shocking incident, a 19-year-old was stabbed to death after he intervened in a clash that broke out between a group of youngsters on Monday near the Shri Dharma Shastha Temple at Thycaud. The deceased has been identified as Alen, a resident of D-47, Thoppu, near Aristo Junction. Cantonment Police have taken four youths into custody following the incident. The incident took place around 5 pm. According to the police, about 30 youngsters had gathered near the temple after an argument broke out during a football match. Students from the Model School, teenagers from Jagathy and Rajaji Nagar often play together in the Model School ground. While they were playing on Monday, an argument escalated into a fight. Alen reached the spot with his friends to calm both sides, yet the situation turned violent. He suffered a single stab wound on the left side of his chest, reportedly inflicted with a pocket knife. The injury caused severe internal bleeding and damaged his heart. Two youths who were present but not involved in the fight took him on a scooter and rushed him to the General Hospital, but he succumbed to the injuries. Police said the group fled the area through a narrow lane behind the temple that opens to the main road near Sastha Gardens A Block. The location is usually busy as it lies close to C V Raman Pillai Road, the police training ground, and several houses. Residents heard the commotion and alerted the police soon after. Alens family had moved from Manikanteswaram in Peroorkada to a rented house near Aristo Junction six months ago. He had returned to the city three months ago after pursuing a job-oriented course in Kochi. His mother Manju works as a housemaid. The family had already suffered a tragedy a year ago with the death of his sister Andrea. The body has been shifted to the Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination. Police have intensified efforts to identify and locate those involved in the fight. Further investigation is under way.
SHRC orders Kerala govt to pay Rs 1-lakh aid to victim of police custodial torture
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Human Rights Commission has directed the state government to pay Rs 1 lakh as compensation to a construction labourer, who was subjected to custodial torture by a sub-inspector earlier attached with Varkala police station. The directive issued by SHRC chairperson Alexander Thomas said the government can deduct the amount from the police officer. Suresh Koyippad, a native of Chathannoor, was beaten up by then Varkala SI P R Rahul on August 30, 2022. Suresh sustained injuries on his abdomen, resulting in the blockage of urine, in the incident. The officer had alleged that Suresh was detained for illegal soil mining, but the commission observed that the vehicle used was not detained. Moreover, Suresh was booked for obstructing the duty of the police officer and not for soil mining, the commission found. Additionally, the police officer had responded that Suresh sustained injuries when he was forcefully made to enter the police jeep. But the commission rejected the allegation. It was also revealed that Suresh was detained by 3.30 pm and kept in the station till 9.30pm. The reports submitted by the home additional chief secretary, the state police chief, the SHRC investigation wing and the Kollam district police chief reckoned that the human rights of Suresh were violated.
Name deletion: Kerala HC tells SEC to consider Vyshnas plea
KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Monday directed the State Election Commission to consider the appeal filed by Vyshna Suresh , the Congress candidate for the Muttada division of the Thiruvananthapuram corporation, against the deletion of her name from the voters list, and to pass an order on or before November 19. Justice P V Kunhikrishnan made it clear that a 24-year-old woman should not be denied her right to participate in the election on mere technical grounds. In these types of cases, the winner should be democracy and not technicality or party politics, the court observed. The court directed Vyshna and the complainant, Dhaneesh Kumar, of Palayam, who raised objection to the inclusion of her name in the voters list, to appear before the State Election Commission for a hearing on November 18. The order was issued on a petition filed by Vyshna challenging the deletion of her name. According to the petitioner, she and her family were included in the draft voters list published on September 29. However, she alleged that Dhaneesh, branch secretary of the CPM, raised a baseless objection after her candidature was announced, claiming she was not an ordinary resident of the Muttada ward. She stated that no documents were produced by him to support his objection. The petitioner submitted her voter ID issued by the State Election Commission, Aadhaar card, and driving licence. All these documents, she contended, clearly show that she is a resident of erstwhile ward 3 and the present ward 18.
LDF promises jobs to 20 lakh women, to take poverty eradication to next level
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Solution to stray dog menace, taking extreme poverty eradication to the next level and jobs to women are among the promises LDF made in its manifesto for local body elections released in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. The manifesto also accused the Congress of adopting a soft Hindutva stand and joining hands with communal elements like Jamaat-e-Islami and SDPI. The manifesto said as a further step in eradicating extreme poverty from Kerala, the government would take steps to find extreme poor familiesby liberalising the indicatorsand uplift them. The government would also provide further financial aid to families already freed from absolute poverty and ensure they do not fall into that situation again. On the stray dog menace, the LDF assured people that centres would be started in each local self-government institution with the help of non-government organisations to house the canines as per the Supreme Courts directions. The manifesto said the government aims to raise women participation in jobs to 50%. Around 20 lakh women will be provided jobs. Kudumbashree aims to provide three lakh jobs before the end of this financial year. If a woman gets Rs 10,000 as monthly income, a sum of Rs 24,000 crore as additional income can reach ordinary citizens, it said. On housing, it said though the target of 5.29 lakh houses under LIFE Project will be accomplished in 2025-26, the government will build houses for any family left out of it. It will also rehabilitate those living in road purampokku with pattaya and land. Nutritious food will be ensured in anganwadis and schools. The government will convert the rest of the 20% primary health centres into family health centres with an outpatient wing working twice, the poll document said The LDF also promised that providing continuous treatment, medicine and palliative benefits to the bedridden patients would be declared as their right. As per the budget declaration, the experience of senior citizens will be used in projects like New Innings. The service pay system of Bud school employees will be revised. Financial aid will be provided to fishermen who could not venture into the sea due to climate change, it said. LDF manifesto Mini industrial parks, work near home facility in LSG bodies Destination Challenge centres in villages Co-working spaces Public spaces like Manaveeyam Veedhi A playground in each LSG Open gym Strengthen gender budgeting More One Stop Centres for women subjected to sexual assaults Special importance to investment projects of transgenders Crime mapping in all LSGs Hike in financial aid to Kudumbshree Local heat action plan Safety plan in all schools More financial aid to LSGs Funds will be collected via municipal bonds for issuing loans for projects The ISO certification to all LSGs Housing, food for all
With 450 buses, KSRTC gears up for Sabarimala pilgrimage season
KOCHI: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will operate three buses every minute on the Pampa-Nilakkal route during periods of heavy rush for the ongoing Sabarimala pilgrimage season. It has deployed a total of 450 buses in the first phase, focusing on both the critical chain service and long-distance routes. A total of 202 buses have been brought to Pampa for the chain service, a fleet which includes both low-floor AC and low-floor non-AC buses. As the pilgrim count increases, KSRTC is prepared to induct more buses onto the circuit, said Roy Jacob, special officer, KSRTC Pampa. To manage this high-volume operation, 350 drivers and 350 conductors have been specifically assigned to the route. Furthermore, 95 personnel have been designated for the coordination and control of all operational activities at Pampa. The management has also made provisions to ensure adequate rest for all staff to maintain service quality and safety. In addition to the high-frequency chain service, KSRTC will operate 248 long-distance services to Pampa from various major depots across Kerala. These services will link vital urban centres and transport hubs directly to base camp, providing seamless connectivity for pilgrims arriving from outside the state. Direct services are available from key locations such as Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Chengannur, Kottayam, and Ernakulam. Special shuttle services have been arranged to ferry pilgrims arriving by train at key railway stations including Chengannur, Tiruvalla, and Kottayam directly to Pampa. The KSRTC has established several support services to maintain the fleet and ensure pilgrim well-being. A fully functional mechanic garage is operational at the Pampa bus stand for immediate maintenance and repair of buses. Additionally, mobile workshops have been strategically placed at Pampa, Nilakkal, Plappally, and Perunad, to address any mechanical issues on the route. For emergency situations, KSRTC has also set up an ambulance facility at Pampa. Authorities have promised to increase the number of services as the crowd size grows. Pilgrims can contact the KSRTC Pampa at 9497024092 for inquiries and assistance. In large numbers Over 1.36 lakh pilgrims have had darshan since beginning of Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season on Sunday Around 55,000 devotees visited on opening day alone 18,000 police personnel to be deployed for pilgrimage season; 3,500 officers currently posted A maximum of 90,000 pilgrims to be allowed darshan per day -- 70,000 via virtual queue, 20,000 through spot booking
Three-fourth of expats wives remain jobless in Kerala: Study
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While migration remittances remain one of the key contributors to the states economy, the wives of male expatriates appear to have little workforce participation within the state. A new study by independent researcher Nafeesath K A, to be presented at the Annual International Migration Conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, found that not even one-fourth of the highly educated women from migrant households are taking part in the states workforce. The study, carried out in collaboration with Prof Archana K Roy of the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, ties the reason for this to patriarchy. Based on the data collected from the Periodic Labour Force Survey from 2017-18 to 2023-24, the National Family Health Survey 2015-16, and the Kerala Migration Survey 2018, the study found that only 24.9% of women, with an educational qualification of graduation or above, and their husbands abroad, are employed. The statistics gain gravitas when 42.6% of women of the state attain higher education, while men remain at 35.8%, as of 2023-24. The study also evaluates that this lack of workforce participation exists even when the wives of the NRIs exhibit decision-making skills and financial autonomy. However, this autonomy tends to increase only when the husbands are absent, and diminishes once they return, which makes this study more relevant, said Nafeesath. Suggesting that the gains through remittances come at the expense of womens lack of workforce participation, the study analyses that the womens withdrawal from workforce participation is less of their choice, and more of their domestic duties, and reduced financial pressures due to the remittance inflow. Another common trend we have seen is that some women tend to feel more respected by society when they are educated but not working, she pointed out.
Kerala trans man fighting historic legal battle to preserve egg cells
KOCHI: A 28-year-old from Attingal who was assigned female at birth, identifies as a transgender man and has undergone gender-affirming treatment including hormone therapy and double mastectomy in 2023 is currently involved in a landmark legal battle. Hari Devageeth is seeking the right to cryo-preserve his gametes (egg cells) for use at a later stage in life. In a petition filed before the Kerala High Court, Hari stated that he has not yet completed sex-reassignment surgery. Once he undergoes the procedure, he will lose all remaining feminine reproductive features and will have to undergo a complete hysterectomy, including removal of the ovaries. Before taking that irreversible step, Hari said he wishes to preserve his gametes to keep open the possibility of having a biological child in the future. However, the situation is not in his favour. The central government has informed the court that under the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Act, the procedure can only be accessed by a commissioning couple, defined as a married man and woman, or a single woman. Single men and transgender persons are not covered under the ART Act or its Rules, leaving Haris request outside the existing legal framework. The court will consider the issue on December 1. In his plea, Hari said he approached a private clinic in Thiruvananthapuram for freezing and storing his eggs. The clinic advised him to undergo an abdomen and pelvis ultrasonography, which did not indicate any significant abnormalities. After the tests, he approached the clinic again with a request for cryo-preservation. However, the private facility relayed its inability to do so, on the grounds that there is no provision under ART Act or the Rules which enables it to cryo-preserve the gametes of a transgender person. Regulatory limits arbitrary and illegal, says petitioner Hari argued that the ART Act and the Rules which limit the benefits of the act only to couples or women are arbitrary and illegal. In an affidavit, the undersecretary of the central health and family welfare ministry submitted that the transgender man cannot avail ART treatment. After undergoing sex-reassignment surgery, the petitioner can no longer avail the benefit of ART services, as for undertaking an IVF procedure, a womb of a mother is required for implantation of embryo as well as carrying the child to term. The only option available with the petitioner would be to undergo surrogacy using his eggs which is also not permitted under the provisions of the Surrogacy Regulation) Act, it said.
Panel suggests repair of damaged Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple idol
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The High Court-appointed expert committee has reported damage due to wear and tear for the moolavigraham, the main idol at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The idol is made of a concrete-like mixture called kadusharka-rayogam. The damage includes those to the right chin of the idol, foot finger and reinforcement between the idol and the anantha. There are wear and tear to the lotus that grows from the idols navel and Lord Brahmas idol on top of the flower. The alankarangal or decorations on the idol including the tholvala, kaivala, poonool, and earrings too suffered damage. The use of nails to adorn golden and silver robes on the idol also caused damage. The expert co mmittee members were temple thantri Tharananellor Satheesan Namboodiripad, Kanippayyoor Krishnan Namboodiri, Pazhangaparambu Unnikrishnan Namboodiri, and Cheruvalli Easwaran Namboodiri. Climatic changes are a major reason for the wear and tear to the idol, according to Satheesan. A moderate climate is required for the idol to remain in good condition. Over the years, the temperature has risen. The tremendous increase in the number of devotees has made the sanctum warmer in recent years, he told TNIE. Idols made of kadusarkarayogam should not be exposed to water. Hence, the customary abhishekam is performed on a representative idol. The speedy decaying of tulsi leaves makes the idol wet which thereby affects the texture. Years ago, the flowers would remain dry until the next morning. But these days they start decomposing soon, maybe due to the climatic changes, he said. Kadusharkara is an indigenous concrete-like mixture prepared out of about 48 materials ranging from small conch shells to herbs and sand. Idols in kadusharkarayogam are noted for their stunning finish when compared to those in metal or stone, the thantri said. Only about fifteen temples in Kerala have such idols. The repair works, to be done by master craftsmen, would be expensive and time-consuming. It will be a challenging task to source materials for the preparation of the mixture. For example, the soil requires certain qualities, and they have to be sourced from distant places. The processing involves different phases, including grinding and baking the soil in herbal concoctions, he said.
Conference on international migration begins in Thiruvananthapuram
18th Russian Language and Literature Festival begins in Thiruvananthapuram
18th Yesenin Award was presented to C.S. Suresh for his contribution to promoting Russian literature through translation
Congress candidate in Muttada ward in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation says her and her parents names were deleted from the voters list of the ward after her candidature was announced. HC says since she has produced documents as address proof, the SEC must consider her plea and pass appropriate orders. The last date to file nomination is November 21
ICAR Deputy Director General stresses need to promote diversified food systems
20th International Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops gets under way in Thiruvananthapuram
Opposition leader in Kerala alleges CPM role in Payyannur BLO suicide case
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Leader of the Opposition in Kerala, V.D. Satheesan has alleged that CPM had a 'role' in the suicide of booth-level officer Aneesh George in Payyannur. He said the CPM leaders threatened the BLO for taking the Congress BLA along for SIR-related activities. He added that the pressure of this threat and the stress due to workload pushed the officer to end his life. He demanded a serious and convincing investigation by the government and said that the Election Commission should study the issue with greater seriousness. He said BLOs across the State have been reporting heavy workload. Most of them are women who struggle to complete the assigned tasks. They must visit each house three times, and each booth has between 700 and 1500 voters. He alleged that both the BJP and CPM are trying to misuse the SIR system to prevent UDF-supported votes from being added. According to him, the BJP implements SIR with malicious intent, and CPM carries out the same intent in another manner in Kerala. He said the UDF will resist such attempts and will challenge any disruption of honest poll procedures both politically and legally. BLO dies by suicide in Kannur; family blames pressure from SIR work The opposition leader said the BJP has witnessed two suicides and one suicide attempt recently. He said the suicide notes refer to financial dealings involving BJP leaders. He also asserted that senior BJP leader M S Kumar has raised grave allegations against the party leadership, and veteran leaders too have made serious charges against the new leadership. He alleged that CPM is trying to establish links with the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram at a time when the party is embroiled in allegations and financial dealings. He said two former CPM leaders, who were a block panchayat president and a Deshabhimani bureau chief, have made serious allegations against Kadakampally Surendran. Senior leaders who left the party have alleged that the former minister is a BJP agent. He said CPM has fielded a person who used to be in RSS as the LDF candidate in Pangode ward. Kerala SIR: ECI receives first filled-out enumeration form from tribal voter He alleged CPM has stepped in to help BJP in Thiruvananthapuram as the party weakens. He described this as the latest example of what he called the BJP-CPM illicit nexus. He also alleged that in Thrissur, the Chief Minister asked ADGP M R Ajith Kumar to hold talks with RSS leader Hosabale to help the BJP win, which also affected the Pooram. On Vyshna Suresh's issue, he said she is a voter in the ward where she is contesting. Her name was removed from the voter list due to an incorrect house number. He said she produced clear evidence during the hearing and is not a bogus voter. He alleged that the complainant has multiple votes and that both CPM and BJP are trying to tamper with the voter list. He warned that the Election Commission must not support what he described as a vile attempt to remove her name in anticipation of her candidature. He pressed that the commission must make her eligible to vote.
Congress candidate moves Kerala HC against deletion of her name from voters' list
KOCHI: Vyshna Suresh, the Congress candidate for the Muttada division of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, approached the Kerala High Court on Monday challenging the deletion of her name from the voters list. The court will take up the case today at 1.45 pm. Senior advocate George Poonthottam will appear for the petitioner. According to the petitioner, she and her family were included in the draft voters list published on 29 September. However, she alleged that the Branch Secretary of the CPM raised a baseless objection on 5 November, after her candidature was announced. Pursuant to the objection, the Election Commission issued a notice and conducted a hearing on November 12. At the hearing, she produced all relevant documents proving her residence at Building No. 18/564 (old 3/564). Despite the complainant's absence and without proper recording of proceedings, the Commission, acting arbitrarily and under the influence of the complainant, deleted the names of the petitioner and her parents from the voters list without issuing any order. The final voters list, due to be published on November 12, was not released. However, the petitioner was able to view an online preview showing her deletion, which later disappeared. Consequently, she filed an appeal before the competent authority under Rule 26 of the Kerala Municipalities (Registration of Electors) Rules, 1994. However, she was not able to produce the deletion order as it was allegedly withheld. The SIR enumeration notice received thereafter again showed her residence as 3/564, confirming her rightful inclusion. With the last date for filing nominations being November 21, she has sought a direction to consider her appeal and ensure the inclusion of her name in the voters list of Division 27, Part 5, Muttada. She further stated that the deletion of her name is illegal and politically motivated, violating her statutory and constitutional rights to vote and contest in the upcoming election.
