Adoor Prakash’s remark rewrites poll-day narrative in central Travancore

In the central Travancore battlegrounds of Kottayam and Pathanamthitta, the local body elections were expected to build toward a climax shaped by three dominant narratives, namely the Sabarimala gold theft case, deepening farmer distress, and the raging rivalry between the major Kerala Congress factions. But by noon on polling day, that well-set narrative was blown off course. And all it took was one offhand remark from United Democratic Front (UDF) convener Adoor Prakash.

After casting his vote in Pathanamthitta on Tuesday morning, Mr. Prakash declared to mediapersons that actor Dileep had “finally been served justice,” adding that he was personally happy about it. Within minutes, the comment detonated across the political landscape. The Left Democratic Front seized it with both hands, converting it into fresh ammunition to revive an old attack line that the Congress harbours an anti-women streak. And it wasted no time tying it to the rape allegations against Rahul Mamkootathil MLA.

LDF heavyweights Veena George and V.N. Vasavan led the charge, turning the remark into a poll-day weapon. Ms. George called Mr. Prakash’s words a “clear reflection” of anti-women stance long harboured by the Congress, while Mr. Vasavan accused the UDF of adopting the same soft-corner approach in the case against the Palakkad legislator.

For the Congress, the timing could not have been worse. Leaders were initially stunned, unsure how to contain the political fire spiralling out of control. Soon they were scrambling to downplay the remark, while quietly seething at the strategic blunder. The party was counting on polling day to take the Sabarimala gold scandal narrative to its peak. Instead, an off-the-cuff comment hijacked the carefully planned messaging.

“This remark came at the most inopportune moment,” fumed a senior Congress leader, lamenting how a “golden opportunity” was squandered just when the UDF needed maximum momentum.

Sensing the danger, veteran leader Ramesh Chennithala attempted damage control from Alappuzha, trying to pull public attention back to the Sabarimala gold scam. But insiders admit it was far from clear whether he succeeded in neutralising the blow.