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Haripad Assembly constituency
Haripad Assembly constituency
from Wikipedia

Haripad State assembly constituency is one of the 140 state legislative assembly constituencies in Kerala in southern India. It is also one of the seven state legislative assembly constituencies included in Alappuzha Lok Sabha constituency.[1] As of the 2021 assembly elections, the current MLA is Ramesh Chennithala of INC.

Key Information

Local self-governed segments

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Haripad Assembly constituency is composed of the following local self-governed segments:[2]

Sl no. Name Status (Grama panchayat/Municipality) Taluk
1 Haripad Municipality Karthikappally
2 Arattupuzha Grama panchayat Karthikappally
3 Cheppad Grama panchayat Karthikappally
4 Cheruthana Grama panchayat Karthikappally
5 Chingoli Grama panchayat Karthikappally
6 Karthikappally Grama panchayat Karthikappally
7 Karuvatta Grama panchayat Karthikappally
8 Kumarapuram Grama panchayat Karthikappally
9 Muthukulam Grama panchayat Karthikappally
10 Pallippad Grama panchayat Karthikappally
11 Thrikkunnapuzha Grama panchayat Karthikappally

Members of Legislative Assembly

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The following list contains all members of Kerala Legislative Assembly who have represented Haripad Assembly constituency during the period of various assemblies:[3]

Election Niyama Sabha Member Party Tenure
1957 1st Ramakrishna Pillai V. Independent 1957 – 1960
1960 2nd K. S. Krishna Pillai Indian National Congress 1960 – 1965
1967 3rd C. B. C. Warrier Communist Party of India 1967 – 1970
1970 4th 1970 – 1977
1977 5th G. P. Mangalathu Madhom Praja Socialist Party 1977 – 1980
1980 6th C. B. C. Warrier Communist Party of India 1980 – 1982
1982 7th Ramesh Chennithala Indian National Congress 1982 – 1987
1987 8th 1987 – 1991
1991 9th K. K. Sreenivasan 1991 – 1996
1996 10th A. V. Thamarakshan Revolutionary Socialist Party 1996 – 2001
2001 11th T. K. Devakumar Communist Party of India 2001 – 2006
2006 12th Adv. B. Babuprasad Indian National Congress 2006 – 2011
2011 13th Ramesh Chennithala 2011 – 2016
2016 14th 2016 – 2021
2021 15th 2021 – 2026

Election results

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Percentage change (±%) denotes the change in the number of votes from the immediate previous election.

2026

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2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly election: Haripad
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
CPI
INC
NDA
NOTA None of the above
Margin of victory
Turnout
Swing

2021

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There were 1,96,024 registered voters in Haripad Assembly constituency for the 2021 Kerala Assembly election.[4]

2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election: Haripad
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
INC Ramesh Chennithala 72,768 48.31% Decrease2.74
CPI Adv. R. Sajilal 59,102 39.24% Increase0.7
BJP K. Soman 17,890 11.88% Increase3.16
NOTA None of the above 536 0.36%
SUCI(C) A. Muhammed 204 0.14% Decrease0.04
Independent Adv Niyaz Bharati 123 0.08%
Margin of victory 13,666 9.07% Decrease3.44
Turnout 1,96,024 74.20% Decrease4.69
INC hold Swing Decrease2.74

2016

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There were 1,88,651 registered voters in Haripad Assembly constituency for the 2016 Kerala Assembly election.[5]

2016 Kerala Legislative Assembly election: Haripad
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
INC Ramesh Chennithala 75,980 51.05% Increase1.02
CPI P. Prasad 57,359 38.54% Decrease7.39
BJP D. Aswanidev 12,985 8.72% Increase6.38
PDP Varkala Raj 623 0.42%
SDPI Ashabul Haq 512 0.34% Increase0.10
BSP C. Balakrishnan 417 0.28% Increase0.04
NOTA None of the above 321 0.22%
Independent Sidharthan Karuvatta 149 0.10%
SUCI(C) A. Muhammed 147 0.10% Increase0.13
Independent Samudayathil Ravi R. Unnithan 93 0.06%
Independent Pradeep Karipuzha 87 0.06%
Independent Satheesh Kumar B. 75 0.05%
Independent D. Prasool Prakash 46 0.03%
Independent Prasad Unnikkanthara 38 0.03%
Margin of victory 18,621 12.51% Increase8.41
Turnout 1,48,832 78.89% Increase0.51
INC hold Swing Increase1.02

2011

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There were 1,71,834 registered voters in the constituency for the 2011 election.[6]

2011 Kerala Legislative Assembly election: Haripad
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
INC Ramesh Chennithala 67,378 50.03%
CPI G. Krishnaprasad 61,858 45.93%
BJP Ajith Sankar 3,145 2.34%
Independent Rameshan 499 0.37%
BSP Somalal Babu 425 0.32%
Independent Krishnaprasad 339 0.25%
SDPI Venu 327 0.24%
SUCI(C) K. J. Sheela 305 0.23%
Independent Biju J. 233 0.17%
Independent N. Divakaran 171 0.13%
Margin of victory 5,520 4.10%
Turnout 1,34,680 78.38%
INC hold Swing

2006

[edit]
2006 Kerala Legislative Assembly election: Haripad
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
INC Babu Prasad 53,787 48.86%
CPI(M) T. K. Devakumar 51,901 47.15%
BJP N. Chithragandhan 2,684 2.43%
Independent Rammohan 484 0.44%
BSP P.A. Shanavas 474 0.43%
Independent Sudhakaran Assari (Balakrishnan) 241 0.22%
SUCI(C) K. J. Sheela 425 0.39%
Margin of victory 1,886 1.71%
Turnout 1,10,075 76.34%
INC hold Swing yes

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Haripad Assembly constituency is one of the 140 state constituencies in the , located in of southern . Designated as constituency number 107, it is a general category seat without reservation for scheduled castes or tribes, encompassing areas primarily within the Haripad taluk and adjacent local body segments in the Onattukara coastal plain. The constituency forms part of the and has historically featured competitive electoral contests between the -led United Democratic Front and the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led , reflecting 's polarized political landscape. In the , candidate secured victory, defeating the contender by a margin indicative of the seat's swing potential in state polls. Key defining characteristics include its rural electorate base, with polling stations distributed across villages like Karuvatta and Cheruthana, and its role in broader district-level dynamics where coir production and backwater fisheries influence local economic priorities. No major controversies have dominated its profile beyond routine election disputes typical of high-stakes constituencies, though vote shares have fluctuated, underscoring voter responsiveness to state government performance.

Geography and Administration

Location and Boundaries

Haripad Assembly constituency, numbered 107, is situated in within the state of , southern , specifically in the Karthikappally taluk. It forms part of the and lies in the coastal lowlands of the Onattukara region, characterized by fertile alluvial plains and proximity to the backwaters of Vembanad Lake. The constituency's boundaries, as delimited by the under the 2008 order based on the 2001 census, encompass the municipal area and surrounding rural localities. It includes the following 11 local body segments, all within Karthikappally taluk: Arattupuzha, Cheppad, Cheruthana, Chingoli, , Karthikappally, Karuvatta, Kumarapuram, Muthukulam, Pallippad, and Thrikkunnapuzha panchayats. These segments cover a mix of urban municipal wards and rural villages, reflecting the area's transition from coastal agrarian zones to semi-urban settlements along National Highway 66. No subsequent boundary changes have been enacted since the 2008 delimitation.

Local Governance Structure

The Haripad Assembly constituency is governed at the local level through a combination of urban and rural self-government institutions under Kerala's three-tier system, comprising the Municipality for the urban core and ten gram panchayats for surrounding rural areas. These bodies handle decentralized administration, including infrastructure development, , , , and implementation of state and central welfare schemes. The constituency's local segments include Municipality along with the gram panchayats of Arattupuzha, Harippad (reserved for Scheduled Castes), Kadavoor, Karuvatta, Kumarapuram, Mannanchery, Muthukulam, Pallippad, Thottappuzhassery, and Veeyanoor. Haripad Municipality functions as a Grade-II municipal council with 33 wards, led by an elected chairperson, vice-chairperson, and councilors who oversee , , and civic amenities for a population exceeding 30,000 residents as of the 2011 census. Elected in the 2020 local body elections, the council is currently dominated by opposition parties, with the holding the chairperson position. Gram panchayats in the constituency each consist of 13 to 19 wards, governed by elected presidents and ward members responsible for rural-specific functions like support, minor , and village , with Harippad panchayat specifically reserved to ensure representation for Scheduled Castes. Overarching coordination occurs via the Haripad Block Panchayat, an intermediate-tier body covering 13 local bodies (including the municipality and 12 gram panchayats in the broader block, though the constituency aligns with a subset), which formulates block-level development plans, allocates funds for projects, and monitors scheme execution such as MGNREGA and rural housing programs. This structure ensures participatory governance, with annual budgets and audits mandated under the Kerala Municipality Act, 1994, and Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, promoting fiscal accountability at the local level.

Demographics and Society

Population Statistics

The Haripad Assembly constituency recorded a total of 225,553 according to estimates. This figure encompasses both rural and urban segments within the constituency's boundaries in , reflecting 's overall demographic patterns of moderate density and high urbanization in coastal areas. Urban residents comprised 52.02% of the population, totaling approximately 117,363 individuals, while rural inhabitants accounted for 47.98%, or about 108,190 persons. The Scheduled Castes (SC) population stood at 12.79%, equating to roughly 28,840 people, predominantly distributed across rural panchayats such as and Muthukulam. In contrast, the Scheduled Tribes (ST) population was minimal at 0.07%, or around 158 individuals, aligning with the low tribal presence typical in 's lowlands. These proportions underscore the constituency's reliance on agrarian and communities, with limited indigenous tribal demographics.

Caste and Religious Composition

Haripad Assembly constituency features a predominantly population, reflecting the cultural significance of temples such as the . According to 2011 Census data for Haripad census town—a core area of the constituency— comprise 83.71% of residents, 8.12%, and 7.95%, with negligible shares for other groups. These figures exceed the averages of 69.04% Hindu, 10.55% Muslim, and 20.45% Christian, suggesting a relatively higher Hindu concentration in the urban core compared to peripheral villages. Caste demographics emphasize Scheduled Castes (SC), estimated at 8.67% of the electorate, primarily influencing voting patterns in a general-category seat. Scheduled Tribes (ST) constitute under 0.3%, aligning with Kerala's low tribal presence statewide. Detailed breakdowns for non-SC/ST castes, such as Nairs or , remain unavailable in official records, as enumerates only reserved categories; election analyses occasionally reference Ezhava influence but lack quantified data.

Political History

Formation and Early Developments

The Haripad Assembly constituency was delimited as one of the original 126 seats in the upon the state's formation on November 1, 1956, through the , which integrated the former Travancore-Cochin regions including the Haripad area in present-day . The boundaries were initially drawn based on the 1951 Census data to ensure equitable representation, encompassing rural and semi-urban locales centered around the town of , known for its agricultural economy and temple-centric culture. This setup reflected the transitional administrative framework from the of , where Haripad had been a taluk headquarters, into the unified democratic structure of . The first election for the constituency occurred on February 28, 1957, as part of Kerala's inaugural polls, which saw high amid the novelty of statehood and ideological contests between socialist, communist, and centrist forces. V. Ramakrishna Pillai, contesting as an independent, secured victory with support from local networks, defeating candidates from the and in a field reflecting fragmented early party alignments. Pillai's win, garnering a plurality in a multi-candidate race, underscored the influence of regional independents in the initial phase before national parties consolidated dominance, and he later contributed to the short-lived first ministry under . Subsequent early elections, such as the polls amid governmental instability, marked the onset of competitive bipolarity, with the seat alternating between Congress-led United Fronts and Left coalitions, influenced by agrarian reforms and dynamics in the area's and communities. Delimitation exercises in the 1960s and 1970s refined boundaries to account for population shifts, but the core territorial integrity persisted until major revisions in 2008-2010 under the Delimitation Act, 2002. These developments established as a for Kerala's oscillating left-right , with vote shares closely mirroring statewide trends in the pre-Emergency era. The Haripad Assembly constituency has exhibited a pattern of closely contested elections between the United Democratic Front (UDF), anchored by the (INC), and the (LDF), dominated by communist parties such as the (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM). Since 2006, the INC has consistently won, reflecting a consolidation of UDF support in this segment of , though margins have fluctuated, underscoring the seat's marginal status. Voter turnout has remained high, typically exceeding 78%, indicative of strong local engagement.
YearWinner (Party)Vote ShareRunner-up (Party)Vote ShareMargin (Votes)
2021 (INC)48.31%R. Sajilal (CPI)39.24%13,666
2016 (INC)51.05%P. Prasad (CPI)38.53%18,621
2011 (INC)50.03%G. Krishnaprasad (CPI)45.93%5,520
2006B. Babu Prasad (INC)48.90%T. K. Devakumar (CPM)47.18%1,886
The (BJP) has shown a gradual increase in vote share, rising from approximately 2.4% in 2006 to 11.88% in 2021, signaling emerging third-front dynamics in an otherwise bipolar contest, though it remains distant from challenging the frontrunners. Prior to 2006, victories alternated more frequently between alliances, with the LDF securing the seat in 1996 via the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP).

Representatives

List of Elected MLAs

Election YearElected MLAParty
2006B. Babu PrasadIndian National Congress
2011Ramesh ChennithalaIndian National Congress
2016Ramesh ChennithalaIndian National Congress
2021Ramesh ChennithalaIndian National Congress

Notable Contributions and Criticisms

, a senior leader, represented Haripad in the during the terms beginning in , 1987, and 2021, marking the start of his extensive legislative career from the constituency. His early representation contributed to Congress's hold on the seat amid competitive elections, with vote margins reflecting strong local support, such as securing victory in as a young entrant into state politics. As MLA, Chennithala's broader roles, including subsequent positions as Home Minister (2014–2016) and Leader of the Opposition (2016–2021), involved oversight of law enforcement and infrastructure initiatives that indirectly benefited , including Haripad's connectivity via National Highway 66. However, constituency-specific achievements, such as targeted development under MLA local area funds, remain undetailed in official records beyond general allocations for roads and welfare schemes released to MLAs annually, totaling ₹35.25 statewide in recent fiscal distributions. Other representatives, such as B. Babu Prasad (elected in 2006 as an candidate), focused on local advocacy as a practicing lawyer-turned-politician, but verifiable records of distinct projects or policy impacts in are limited, aligning with the constituency's reliance on district-level funds for fisheries and agriculture enhancements in . Haripad MLAs have collectively benefited from statewide schemes like the Special Development Fund, enabling small-scale interventions in flood-prone areas and transport links, though no standout individual attributions emerge from empirical data on project outcomes. Criticisms of Haripad's representatives have centered on party-internal dynamics rather than localized governance failures. Chennithala, for example, faced accusations from colleagues of mishandling transitions, contributing to electoral setbacks like the party's losses in 2016 and 2021 polls, where Haripad's margin narrowed despite his return. Opponents have attributed such issues to factionalism, though these claims lack direct ties to Haripad-specific neglect, such as unresolved flooding or . No formal probes or of or malfeasance in constituency development—e.g., misuse of MLA funds—have been documented against Haripad MLAs in or reports. Broader critiques, including those from CPI(M) rivals, portray Chennithala's tenure as prioritizing state-level confrontations over grassroots progress, but these remain politically motivated without causal substantiation from independent analyses.

Elections and Results

2021 Election

In the , constituency (No. 107) voted on April 6, with results declared on May 2. of the (INC) secured victory, polling 72,768 votes (48.31% of valid votes), defeating Adv. R. Sajilal of the Communist Party of India (CPI) who received 59,102 votes (39.24%). The margin of victory was 13,666 votes. K. Soman of the (BJP) finished third with 17,890 votes (11.88%), while minor candidates including Madhu T of the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) garnered 204 votes (0.14%) and independents polled negligibly. (NOTA) received 536 votes (0.36%). Total valid votes cast were 150,623.
CandidatePartyEVM VotesPostal VotesTotal VotesVote %
Ramesh ChennithalaIndian National Congress (INC)70,0562,71272,76848.31
Adv. R. SajilalCommunist Party of India (CPI)57,2511,85159,10239.24
K. SomanBharatiya Janata Party (BJP)17,44144917,89011.88
Madhu TSUCI(Communist)194102040.14
Adv. Niyaz BharatiIndependent11851230.08
NOTANone of the Above525115360.36
Chennithala's win marked a return for the United Democratic Front (UDF) coalition in the constituency, amid a broader (LDF) retention of power statewide.

2016 Election

, contesting for the (INC) as part of the United Democratic Front (UDF) coalition, won the Haripad Assembly constituency in the held on 16 May 2016. He defeated of the (CPI), representing the (LDF), by a margin of 18,621 votes. This victory retained the seat for the UDF despite the LDF securing a majority across , forming the government under . Out of 188,575 registered electors, 148,844 votes were polled, yielding a turnout of 78.93%. Valid votes totaled 148,511, with 321 votes (0.22%) cast as NOTA. The detailed vote distribution among major candidates is as follows:
CandidatePartyVotesPercentage
INC75,98051.05%
CPI57,35938.54%
D. Aswani DevBJP12,9858.72%
Minor candidates, including those from PDP, SDPI, BSP, and independents, collectively received fewer than 2,000 votes. Chennithala's win solidified Haripad as a UDF stronghold, reflecting local dynamics favoring the incumbent coalition amid statewide shifts toward the LDF.

2011 Election

In the , held on 13 April, the Haripad constituency recorded a of 78.42%, with 134,745 votes polled out of an electorate of 171,834. , contesting for the (INC) as part of the United Democratic Front (UDF) alliance, secured victory with 67,378 votes (50.03% of valid votes), defeating G. Krishnaprasad of the (CPI), representing the (LDF), who received 61,858 votes (45.93%). The margin of victory was 5,520 votes, reflecting a competitive contest in a constituency historically alternating between UDF and LDF. The election saw participation from multiple parties, with smaller contenders including the (BJP) and independents, but the primary bipolar contest dominated outcomes. Valid votes totaled 134,680 after rejecting 65 invalid ballots.
CandidatePartyVotesVote Share (%)
Ramesh ChennithalaINC67,37850.03
G. KrishnaprasadCPI61,85845.93
Ajith SankarBJP3,1452.34
Others (7 candidates)Various2,2991.70
This result contributed to the UDF's statewide majority, enabling to form the government, amid broader voter shifts toward anti-incumbency against the outgoing LDF administration led by . Chennithala, a senior leader, leveraged local organizational strength and alliances to consolidate support in this coastal seat.

2006 Election

The for the constituency was conducted on April 29, 2006, as part of the statewide polls that saw the (LDF), led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), secure a majority in the assembly. , a general category seat in , featured competition primarily between the United Democratic Front (UDF)-backed (INC) and the LDF's CPI(M). Seven candidates contested, with voter participation reflecting typical turnout patterns in the region amid a polarized campaign focused on local development, agriculture, and state governance issues. INC candidate Adv. B. Babu Prasad emerged victorious, securing 53,787 votes and defeating CPI(M)'s T. K. Devakumar, who polled 51,901 votes, by a narrow margin of 1,886 votes. Prasad's win represented a hold for the UDF in the constituency despite the LDF's statewide sweep of 99 seats. The (BJP) candidate N. Chitrangathan received 2,684 votes, capturing a minor share, while the remaining four independent or other party contenders garnered negligible support.
CandidatePartyVotesPercentage
B. Babu PrasadINC53,78748.90
T. K. DevakumarCPI(M)51,90147.18
N. ChitrangathanBJP2,6842.44
The close contest underscored Haripad's status as a competitive seat, with INC's organizational strength and local alliances contributing to the outcome, as evidenced by the vote distribution where the top two parties accounted for over 96% of the polled votes. No significant electoral irregularities were reported in official records for this constituency.

Key Issues and Developments

Economic and Infrastructure Challenges

The industry dominates Haripad's economy, employing over 10,000 workers as of 2014-15, yet faces persistent shortages of quality yarn, reliance on low-grade fiber imports from , and price volatility that undermine viability. Artisans receive maximum daily wages of ₹250, far below Kerala's average labor rate of ₹500, contributing to marginal operations in cooperatives and disinterest among younger generations. initiatives, intended to boost , have displaced labor in this traditional sector, exacerbating in a state where joblessness drives Gulf migration despite overall low multidimensional . Limited diversification beyond , , and paddy cultivation heightens vulnerability to market shifts and environmental disruptions, with declining export demand for traditional products signaling stagnation. Women workers, comprising a significant portion of the 42,796 coir society members in , encounter additional hurdles like inadequate mechanized tools and health strains from manual spinning. Absence of robust value addition and marketing channels beyond government outlets like Coirfed further constrains income growth. Frequent flooding from backwaters and monsoons damages roads, crops, and homes, as evidenced by May 2025 rains disrupting connectivity and destroying agricultural output worth crores across . threatens settlements, prompting groyne field projects; by April 2025, 13 groynes spanning 1.5 km were completed in Pathiyankara under to curb sea advancement. Inadequate road elevations and maintenance amplify water retention, while underutilized cooperative lands and missing equipment repair facilities hinder industrial infrastructure. These issues, compounded by Kerala's broader terrain-water mismatches in designs, impede reliable transport and development.

Social and Political Dynamics

The social composition of Haripad Assembly constituency mirrors that of , where form the majority at 70.37% of the population, followed by at 21.24% and at 8.18%, according to 2011 census data. This demographic profile influences local dynamics, with Hindu cultural institutions, such as the prominent Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple, playing a central role in community life and festivals, fostering social cohesion around religious and agrarian traditions in the Onattukara region. High literacy rates, characteristic of , and a female-heavy (exceeding 1,100 in the census town per 2011 figures) contribute to progressive social indicators, though rural economic dependencies on paddy cultivation and coir industries shape community interactions and mobility. Politically, Haripad stands out as a United Democratic Front (UDF) bastion within the Left Democratic Front (LDF)-dominant , reflecting Kerala's entrenched bipolar contest between Congress-led centrists and communist-aligned coalitions. The constituency has consistently delivered victories for candidates, notably , who first won in 1982 and secured the seat in 2021 with 69,140 votes against CPI's R. Sajilal's 56,513. In 2011, amid LDF gains across eight of Alappuzha's nine seats, Haripad provided the UDF's sole win, underscoring localized loyalty over broader leftist tied to working-class . Electoral patterns reveal minimal (BJP) penetration, with its candidates polling under 10% in recent contests, as community alignments prioritize UDF-LDF rivalry rooted in historical welfare policies and ideological divides rather than emerging right-wing narratives. This stability contrasts with Kerala's occasional volatility elsewhere, sustained by enduring voter bases influenced by caste legacies—such as support for and leanings toward Left parties—though social reforms have moderated overt caste-based mobilization.

References

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