Local Structure and Geography
Malappuram Municipality and Morayur, Pookkottur, Anakkayam and Pulpatta Panchayats in Ernad Taluk and Kodur Panchayat in Perinthalmanna Taluk are included in the Malappuram Assembly constituency. The town of Malappuram acts as an economic, educational, and cultural centre. The region has a varied socioeconomic profile, with remittances from jobs abroad, trade, services, and education all playing important roles in local livelihoods. The political nature of the constituency is greatly influenced by its demographic makeup.
Voter Participation and the Electorate
Malappuram has 211,990 registered voters for the 2021 Kerala Assembly election, according to official data from the Election Commission of India. Majority population in the constituency belong to Muslim community.
Representation and Political History
Since it was created as an assembly constituency in 1957, politicians affiliated with the United Democratic Front (UDF) or members of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) have typically won the seat. The first MLAs from this seat was C. H. Mohammed Koya, an IUML politician who went on to become Kerala's chief minister in 1979. Later, another prominent IUML member, M. K. Muneer, represented Malappuram. P. Ubaidulla has been the constituency's MLA in more recent times, winning several elections and upholding IUML's leadership position in the state house. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) has never won the Malappuram Assembly seat, making it one of IUML's most reliable electoral strongholds. This makes the constituency's political landscape unique in Kerala.
Results of the 2021 Kerala Assembly Election
P. Ubaidulla of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) won the Malappuram Assembly seat in the 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election. He received 93,166 votes, or roughly 57.93 percent of all valid votes cast, according to official election figures. With 57,958 votes, or around 35.82 percent, P. Abdul Rahman (Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M), LDF]) came in second. Sethumadhavan (BJP, NDA) received 5,883 votes, or approximately 3.64 percent. The Welfare Party of India, candidate E.C. Ayisha, received 3,194 votes (about 1.99 percent), while the remaining votes were split between independents and other minor parties. The IUML had a clear upper hand in the constituency, as seen by Ubaidulla's 35,208 vote victory margin.
Voter Behaviour and Electoral Dynamics
Although the Left Democratic Front (LDF) is still a powerful force throughout Kerala, it has always been the primary rival rather than the leading force in Malappuram. Due to the electorate's extensive support to the UDF and IUML, as evident from the election results, the BJP and other smaller parties have remained marginal participants in terms of vote share.
Key Issues
- Improved road connectivity and public services
- Quality Education and healthcare access
Tourist Spots
- Kottakkunnu Hills & Park
- Kottakkunnu Heritage Museum
- Anakkayam Lake
- Malappuram Juma Masjid
(Sreya Prasad)
