Kerala local body polls: Kudumbashree ‘candidates’ bank on people connect to sail through

Dusk fell a few hours ago, but it’s been another long day on the campaign trail for Fathimath Zowra. He met voters, made home visits, worked on his candidacy and wrapped up the day with a meeting in Udyawar North area of ​​Manjeswaram. Grama panchayat in Kasaragod where he contested as an independent candidate.

The 27-year-old newcomer had no plans to contest the polls but changed his mind after repeated encouragement from people at the grassroots level. “They wanted me to fight in the elections because I was tired of problems that could never be solved. But I did not want to contest under any party symbol. After my years in Kudumbashree, I have confidence that I can get things done.”

It is this connection of people that Ms. Zowra, who has worked as a community consultant for three years to strengthen the Kudumbashree network in the area, relies on seeing her at the finish line.

Like Ms. Zowra’s case, Kudumbashree was the stepping stone for Jisna Francis’ entry into politics. Ms. Francis, who is contesting on the Left Democratic Front (LDF) ticket from the Manakkalpadi division of Vellangallur block panchayat in Thrissur, joined a Kudumbashree auxiliary group in 2022 and has been actively involved in various functions. During this process, he not only took on leadership roles but also established deep ties with the community. “People said they could see a big change in me, even in a short period of time.”

“I did well on the Kudumbashree stage. If I get selected, I will step up to a bigger stage and I am sure I can help people,” he says.

She admits it’s hard for many women to stand out. “I, too, was hesitant, wondering what my family or others would think. But we were inspired by the successes of those who came before.”

Over the years, this confluence of political ambitions and participation in the Kudumbashree network has become the go-to for political parties of all hues to select candidates for local elections.

Sindhu Sasi, LDF candidate from Kattayikonam to Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, served as councilor from 2015-20 and also served as president of Kudumbashree community development association. Between the two, Kudumbashree finds managing its operations a bit more challenging as a lot of government programs tend to be implemented with Kudumbashree’s involvement and it is not easy to participate and respond well to them, especially in coastal areas.

“I don’t need any introduction. I may not have been a councilman for five years, but I’ve been very involved with the neighborhood and the people of the area.”

Fifty-year-old Usha Sachidanandan is the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate from Chemmanthitta in Malappuram’s Moothedam panchayat. In 2010, he was elected as the vice president of Moothedam and only then became active in Kudumbashree. He also served as chairman of Karapuram CDS for two years from 2021.

Ms. Sachidanandan says Kudumbashree enables maximum possible interaction with people, especially women and the marginalized. “Once elected, we can do whatever it takes to overcome the challenges these segments face.”

She points out that the acceptance faced by Kudumbashree women is immense. “There is a strong belief that if something needs to reach the grassroots people, it should be done through Kudumbashree.”

As an election candidate, Ms. Sachidanandan also has clear ideas on the future direction of Kudumbashree, especially on how to energize ancillary groups. Improving the lives of marginalized people is another priority for him.

In 2020, more than 16,800 Kudumbashree women contested local body elections. Kudumbashree officials say that this time more than 20,000 women will join the fight.