When politics comes home: Husband and wife share power in Palakkad

Palakkad (Kerala) | In Kerala's Palakkad district, politics has taken on a distinctly personal touch. In a rare turn, a husband and wife now represent the same region--he in Parliament, she in the state assembly.

When Congress candidate K A Thulasi won the Kongad seat, a constituency long seen as a CPI(M) stronghold, the result was more than just an electoral upset.

With a margin of over 3,706 votes, she defeated the sitting MLA K Santhakumari and, in doing so, joined her husband, Congress MP V K Sreekandan, in public office.

Speaking to news channels, Thulasi recalls how the campaign began the day she was named the candidate.

Planning started early, and the Congress-led UDF moved in a coordinated way.

"There was no negativity, and people responded warmly," she said.

Through it all, Sreekandan was a constant presence, just as he was for UDF candidates in other constituencies.

With years of experience in the Congress, including a stint as Palakkad DCC president, he understood both the ground realities and the pressures of an election.

When party leaders first asked whether Thulasi, an academic and KPCC general secretary, could win, Sreekandan admits he paused.

Kongad falls within his Palakkad Lok Sabha constituency, and his answer would carry weight. He gave his word--and she went on to be elected.

For voters of Kongad, a visit to meet the MLA could mean meeting the MP as well.

Asked about this, Thulasi said, "Certainly." Sreekandan said that Thulasi's identity as MLA must stand on its own.

"She must be an independent MLA, someone ordinary people can approach freely." Thulasi echoes that sentiment, placing her focus firmly on the voters.

"The love they have shown me through their votes--I will return it," she said.