Survivors label Congress leader a “true humanist” as pro-LDF handles brand them “thankless” for voting patterns.
KALPETTA – Survivors of the devastating Wayanad landslides in Mundakkai and Chooralmala have come out strongly against a coordinated cyber campaign by pro-Left social media handles. The backlash follows the recent assembly election results, where Congress leader T. Siddique secured a commanding lead in booths historically considered strongholds of the Left Democratic Front (LDF).
The controversy erupted after Siddique, the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate, recorded a sweeping lead in the four most affected booths—Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Elavayal. Pro-LDF handles quickly branded the survivors “thankless,” alleging they ignored the state government’s rehabilitation efforts and the proposed Wayanad Township project in favor of the opposition.
Shifts in Political Loyalty
The scale of the shift has stunned political observers. In the four disaster-hit booths, Siddique secured a combined lead of 651 votes, contributing to an overall victory margin of 5,299 votes in the Kalpetta constituency. Local representatives noted that the UDF had previously lost the Mundakkai ward by a narrow margin in local body polls, but Siddique managed to flip the narrative this time with a 279-vote lead in that ward alone.
“CPM workers should realize that this wasn’t just UDF workers voting,” said N.K. Sukumaran, a former ward member from Attamala. “This region is traditionally a Left bastion. If Siddique secured such a lead, it means LDF cadres themselves voted for him en masse.”
Gratitude Over Party Lines
Survivors have defended their choice, citing Siddique’s consistent presence on the ground. Noufal T., a survivor from the region, highlighted that many were moved by the perceived harassment Siddique faced during a government key-distribution ceremony attended by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
“While other representatives were merely visitors, Siddique stayed with us from day one,” Noufal stated. He further dismissed the “thankless” label, clarifying that rehabilitation funds were global contributions intended for the victims, not personal favors from a political party.
The sentiment is echoed even by those who recently joined the CPM. Naseer Alakkal, chairman of the Janashabdam Action Council, noted that the vote was an expression of gratitude for Siddique’s personal initiatives, such as mobilizing CSR funds to ensure over 200 students in the region could continue their higher education.
