Alathur gained attention well before the final markings of the electoral battle owing to the early arrival of Minister for Welfare of SC/ST and Backward Classes K. Radhakrishnan. Being the only State Minister in fray in the State, Mr. Radhakrishnan is posing a threat to United Democratic Front (UDF)’s sitting MP Ramya Haridas, who is seeking a second term from this reserved constituency.
Alathur Lok Sabha constituency came into being with the delimitation of 2008. Spread in Palakkad and Thrissur districts, Alathur was made out Ottapalam Lok Sabha constituency, which had elected former President K.R. Narayanan in 1984, 1989 and 1991. With the disappearance of Ottapalam constituency, Assembly segments such as Chelakkara, Kunnamkulam and Wadakkanchery from Thrissur district became part of the newly formed Alathur. Besides, Tarur, Chittur, Nenmara and Alathur Assembly segments in Palakkad too became part of this SC Lok Sabha constituency. Among the seven Assembly segments, Tarur and Chelakkara are SC reserved constituencies. Mr. Radhakrishnan was elected to the Assembly from Chelakkara in 2021.
In the three elections held since 2009, Left Democratic Front (LDF)’s P.K. Biju was elected two times (2009 and 2014). Mr. Biju’s defeat in 2019 at the hands of Ms. Haridas was considered one of the worst debacles the LDF suffered in that election. Riding on a wave of song and dance that she created, Ms. Haridas was elected by a margin of 1.589 lakh votes.
