Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency

Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency

It has been newly created under the Delimitation Act 2002 is expected to emerge as another venue of exciting electoral battles in the State since the United Democratic Front (UDF) and Left Democratic Front (LDF) are evenly matched there.

People

At present, the area is still occupied by tribal populations who still practice age-old customs and rituals and live a nomadic life. Some of the tribal populations include Paniyas, Adiyas, Kattunayakan and Kurichiyans. It is the district with the highest share in the adivasi population (about 36%) of Kerala. Wayanad also has a large settler population. The jains from Karnataka came in the 13th century. The Hindu Nairs from Kottayam-Kurumbranadu, in Kannur district, made an entry in the 14th century and established their feudal system. They were followed by Muslims. There was large scale migrations from southern Kerala in the early 1940s. Their hard work helped them to build prosperous lives.Christians who came in the 1950s from Travancore, were well established as plantation owners until the crash in the price of plantation crops. On the other hand, the last few decades have seen the complete marginalisation of the indigenous people. Alienated from their land, exploited by the settlers and neglected by the state, their struggle for rights to the land has so far been unsuccessful.

Politics

While the leaders of the CPI(M)-led LDF are confident of asserting their dominance in the new Lok Sabha constituency since recent polls had shown their strength has been clearly rising, for Congress-led UDF believes Wayanad will be loyal to them since the Assembly constituencies that form the new Lok Sabha constituency have more often than not elected their candidates. Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, as notified by the Delimitation Commission, consists of Mananthavadi, Sulthan Bathery, Kalpetta, Thiruvambadi, Ernad, Nilambur and Wandoor Assembly segments.