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Haripad Assembly constituency
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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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]Percentage change (±%) denotes the change in the number of votes from the immediate previous election.
2026
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPI | |||||
| INC | |||||
| NDA | |||||
| NOTA | None of the above | ||||
| Margin of victory | |||||
| Turnout | |||||
| Swing | |||||
2021
[edit]There were 1,96,024 registered voters in Haripad Assembly constituency for the 2021 Kerala Assembly election.[4]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INC | Ramesh Chennithala | 72,768 | 48.31% | ||
| CPI | Adv. R. Sajilal | 59,102 | 39.24% | ||
| BJP | K. Soman | 17,890 | 11.88% | ||
| NOTA | None of the above | 536 | 0.36% | − | |
| SUCI(C) | A. Muhammed | 204 | 0.14% | ||
| Independent | Adv Niyaz Bharati | 123 | 0.08% | ||
| Margin of victory | 13,666 | 9.07% | |||
| Turnout | 1,96,024 | 74.20% | |||
| INC hold | Swing | ||||
2016
[edit]There were 1,88,651 registered voters in Haripad Assembly constituency for the 2016 Kerala Assembly election.[5]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INC | Ramesh Chennithala | 75,980 | 51.05% | ||
| CPI | P. Prasad | 57,359 | 38.54% | ||
| BJP | D. Aswanidev | 12,985 | 8.72% | ||
| PDP | Varkala Raj | 623 | 0.42% | − | |
| SDPI | Ashabul Haq | 512 | 0.34% | ||
| BSP | C. Balakrishnan | 417 | 0.28% | ||
| NOTA | None of the above | 321 | 0.22% | − | |
| Independent | Sidharthan Karuvatta | 149 | 0.10% | ||
| SUCI(C) | A. Muhammed | 147 | 0.10% | ||
| 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% | |||
| Turnout | 1,48,832 | 78.89% | |||
| INC hold | Swing | ||||
2011
[edit]There were 1,71,834 registered voters in the constituency for the 2011 election.[6]
| 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]| 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
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "State Assembly Constituencies in Alappuzha district, Kerala". alappuzha.nic.in.
- ^ "Local Self Governments in Assembly Constituencies of Alappuzha District". www.ceo.kerala.gov.in. Archived from the original on 13 March 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
- ^ "Members of Kerala Legislative Assembly: Haripad". www.mapsofindia.com.
- ^ "Kerala Niyamasabha Election Results 2021, Election commission of India". eci.gov.in.
- ^ "Kerala Niyamasabha Election Results 2016, Election commission of India". eci.gov.in.
- ^ "Kerala Niyamasabha Election Results 2011, Election commission of India". eci.gov.in. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
Haripad Assembly constituency
View on GrokipediaGeography and Administration
Location and Boundaries
Haripad Assembly constituency, numbered 107, is situated in Alappuzha district within the state of Kerala, southern India, specifically in the Karthikappally taluk. It forms part of the Alappuzha Lok Sabha constituency and lies in the coastal lowlands of the Onattukara region, characterized by fertile alluvial plains and proximity to the backwaters of Vembanad Lake.[1][6] The constituency's boundaries, as delimited by the Delimitation Commission of India under the 2008 order based on the 2001 census, encompass the Haripad municipal area and surrounding rural localities. It includes the following 11 local body segments, all within Karthikappally taluk: Arattupuzha, Cheppad, Cheruthana, Chingoli, Haripad, Karthikappally, Karuvatta, Kumarapuram, Muthukulam, Pallippad, and Thrikkunnapuzha panchayats.[3][6] 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.[7]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 Panchayati Raj system, comprising the Haripad Municipality for the urban core and ten gram panchayats for surrounding rural areas. These bodies handle decentralized administration, including infrastructure development, public health, sanitation, water supply, and implementation of state and central welfare schemes. The constituency's local segments include Haripad Municipality along with the gram panchayats of Arattupuzha, Harippad (reserved for Scheduled Castes), Kadavoor, Karuvatta, Kumarapuram, Mannanchery, Muthukulam, Pallippad, Thottappuzhassery, and Veeyanoor.[3] Haripad Municipality functions as a Grade-II municipal council with 33 wards, led by an elected chairperson, vice-chairperson, and councilors who oversee urban planning, waste management, 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 Indian National Congress 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 agriculture support, minor irrigation, and village road maintenance, with Harippad panchayat specifically reserved to ensure representation for Scheduled Castes.[3][8] 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.[9][3]Demographics and Society
Population Statistics
The Haripad Assembly constituency recorded a total population of 225,553 according to 2011 Census estimates.[10] This figure encompasses both rural and urban segments within the constituency's boundaries in Alappuzha district, reflecting Kerala's overall demographic patterns of moderate density and high urbanization in coastal areas.[10] 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.[10] The Scheduled Castes (SC) population stood at 12.79%, equating to roughly 28,840 people, predominantly distributed across rural panchayats such as Haripad and Muthukulam.[10] In contrast, the Scheduled Tribes (ST) population was minimal at 0.07%, or around 158 individuals, aligning with the low tribal presence typical in Kerala's lowlands.[10] These proportions underscore the constituency's reliance on agrarian and fishing communities, with limited indigenous tribal demographics.[11]Caste and Religious Composition
Haripad Assembly constituency features a predominantly Hindu population, reflecting the cultural significance of temples such as the Chettikulangara Devi Temple. According to 2011 Census data for Haripad census town—a core area of the constituency—Hindus comprise 83.71% of residents, Muslims 8.12%, and Christians 7.95%, with negligible shares for other groups.[12] These figures exceed the Alappuzha district 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.[13] Caste demographics emphasize Scheduled Castes (SC), estimated at 8.67% of the electorate, primarily influencing voting patterns in a general-category seat.[14] Scheduled Tribes (ST) constitute under 0.3%, aligning with Kerala's low tribal presence statewide.[15] Detailed breakdowns for non-SC/ST castes, such as Nairs or Ezhavas, remain unavailable in official census records, as India enumerates only reserved categories; election analyses occasionally reference Ezhava influence but lack quantified data.[16]Political History
Formation and Early Developments
The Haripad Assembly constituency was delimited as one of the original 126 seats in the Kerala Legislative Assembly upon the state's formation on November 1, 1956, through the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, which integrated the former Travancore-Cochin regions including the Haripad area in present-day Alappuzha district. 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 Haripad, known for its agricultural economy and temple-centric culture. This setup reflected the transitional administrative framework from the princely state of Travancore, where Haripad had been a taluk headquarters, into the unified democratic structure of Kerala. The first election for the constituency occurred on February 28, 1957, as part of Kerala's inaugural Legislative Assembly polls, which saw high voter turnout 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 Indian National Congress and Communist Party of India in a field reflecting fragmented early party alignments.[17] 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 E. M. S. Namboodiripad.[18] Subsequent early elections, such as the 1960 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 caste dynamics in the area's Nair and Ezhava 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 Haripad as a bellwether for Kerala's oscillating left-right politics, with vote shares closely mirroring statewide trends in the pre-Emergency era.[19]Major Electoral Trends
The Haripad Assembly constituency has exhibited a pattern of closely contested elections between the United Democratic Front (UDF), anchored by the Indian National Congress (INC), and the Left Democratic Front (LDF), dominated by communist parties such as the Communist Party of India (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 Alappuzha district, though margins have fluctuated, underscoring the seat's marginal status. Voter turnout has remained high, typically exceeding 78%, indicative of strong local engagement.[2][20][21][22]| Year | Winner (Party) | Vote Share | Runner-up (Party) | Vote Share | Margin (Votes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ramesh Chennithala (INC) | 48.31% | R. Sajilal (CPI) | 39.24% | 13,666 |
| 2016 | Ramesh Chennithala (INC) | 51.05% | P. Prasad (CPI) | 38.53% | 18,621 |
| 2011 | Ramesh Chennithala (INC) | 50.03% | G. Krishnaprasad (CPI) | 45.93% | 5,520 |
| 2006 | B. Babu Prasad (INC) | 48.90% | T. K. Devakumar (CPM) | 47.18% | 1,886 |
Representatives
List of Elected MLAs
| Election Year | Elected MLA | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | B. Babu Prasad | Indian National Congress[22] |
| 2011 | Ramesh Chennithala | Indian National Congress[24] |
| 2016 | Ramesh Chennithala | Indian National Congress[25] |
| 2021 | Ramesh Chennithala | Indian National Congress[2] |
Notable Contributions and Criticisms
Ramesh Chennithala, a senior Indian National Congress leader, represented Haripad in the Kerala Legislative Assembly during the terms beginning in 1982, 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 1982 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 Alappuzha district, 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 crore statewide in recent fiscal distributions.[26][27][28] Other representatives, such as B. Babu Prasad (elected in 2006 as an Indian National Congress candidate), focused on local advocacy as a practicing lawyer-turned-politician, but verifiable records of distinct projects or policy impacts in Haripad are limited, aligning with the constituency's reliance on district-level funds for fisheries and agriculture enhancements in Alappuzha. 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.[29] Criticisms of Haripad's representatives have centered on party-internal dynamics rather than localized governance failures. Chennithala, for example, faced accusations from Congress colleagues of mishandling leadership transitions, contributing to electoral setbacks like the party's losses in 2016 and 2021 Kerala 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 economic stagnation. No formal probes or empirical evidence of corruption or malfeasance in constituency development—e.g., misuse of MLA funds—have been documented against Haripad MLAs in court or audit 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.[30][31]Elections and Results
2021 Election
In the 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election, Haripad constituency (No. 107) voted on April 6, with results declared on May 2. Ramesh Chennithala of the Indian National Congress (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%).[2] The margin of victory was 13,666 votes.[2] K. Soman of the Bharatiya Janata Party (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.[2] None of the Above (NOTA) received 536 votes (0.36%).[2] Total valid votes cast were 150,623.[2]| Candidate | Party | EVM Votes | Postal Votes | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramesh Chennithala | Indian National Congress (INC) | 70,056 | 2,712 | 72,768 | 48.31 |
| Adv. R. Sajilal | Communist Party of India (CPI) | 57,251 | 1,851 | 59,102 | 39.24 |
| K. Soman | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 17,441 | 449 | 17,890 | 11.88 |
| Madhu T | SUCI(Communist) | 194 | 10 | 204 | 0.14 |
| Adv. Niyaz Bharati | Independent | 118 | 5 | 123 | 0.08 |
| NOTA | None of the Above | 525 | 11 | 536 | 0.36 |
2016 Election
Ramesh Chennithala, contesting for the Indian National Congress (INC) as part of the United Democratic Front (UDF) coalition, won the Haripad Assembly constituency in the 2016 Kerala Legislative Assembly election held on 16 May 2016.[20] He defeated P. Prasad of the Communist Party of India (CPI), representing the Left Democratic Front (LDF), by a margin of 18,621 votes.[20] [32] This victory retained the seat for the UDF despite the LDF securing a majority across Kerala, forming the government under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.[20] Out of 188,575 registered electors, 148,844 votes were polled, yielding a turnout of 78.93%.[20] Valid votes totaled 148,511, with 321 votes (0.22%) cast as NOTA.[20] The detailed vote distribution among major candidates is as follows:| Candidate | Party | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramesh Chennithala | INC | 75,980 | 51.05% |
| P. Prasad | CPI | 57,359 | 38.54% |
| D. Aswani Dev | BJP | 12,985 | 8.72% |
2011 Election
In the 2011 Kerala Legislative Assembly election, held on 13 April, the Haripad constituency recorded a voter turnout of 78.42%, with 134,745 votes polled out of an electorate of 171,834.[24] Ramesh Chennithala, contesting for the Indian National Congress (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 Communist Party of India (CPI), representing the Left Democratic Front (LDF), who received 61,858 votes (45.93%).[24] The margin of victory was 5,520 votes, reflecting a competitive contest in a constituency historically alternating between UDF and LDF.[24] The election saw participation from multiple parties, with smaller contenders including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and independents, but the primary bipolar contest dominated outcomes. Valid votes totaled 134,680 after rejecting 65 invalid ballots.[24]| Candidate | Party | Votes | Vote Share (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramesh Chennithala | INC | 67,378 | 50.03 |
| G. Krishnaprasad | CPI | 61,858 | 45.93 |
| Ajith Sankar | BJP | 3,145 | 2.34 |
| Others (7 candidates) | Various | 2,299 | 1.70 |
2006 Election
The 2006 Kerala Legislative Assembly election for the Haripad constituency was conducted on April 29, 2006, as part of the statewide polls that saw the Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), secure a majority in the assembly. Haripad, a general category seat in Alappuzha district, featured competition primarily between the United Democratic Front (UDF)-backed Indian National Congress (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.[33][22] 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 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate N. Chitrangathan received 2,684 votes, capturing a minor share, while the remaining four independent or other party contenders garnered negligible support.[22][34][35]| Candidate | Party | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| B. Babu Prasad | INC | 53,787 | 48.90 |
| T. K. Devakumar | CPI(M) | 51,901 | 47.18 |
| N. Chitrangathan | BJP | 2,684 | 2.44 |
