In an unprecedented political development, 547 members of the Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) have entered the electoral arena across Kerala, transforming from waste management workers to political candidates. This remarkable shift highlights a new trend in Kerala's political landscape where grassroots workers are being recognized for their public service and community connections.
From Household Visits to Political Campaigns
Fifty-year-old Anitha Babu represents this new wave of political candidates. Having served as an HKS member in the newly formed Block Junction ward of Vellangallur panchayat in Thrissur for six years, she knows every road and alley in her constituency. Her regular household visits for waste collection have built strong personal bonds with residents, making her a familiar and approachable figure in the community.
"Being part of the HKS for the past six years, I do not feel any hesitation in visiting houses seeking votes; they all know me very well," Anitha stated, highlighting the advantage her grassroots work provides in political campaigning.
Her dedication was particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when she continued volunteer services alone with minimal financial support. She has now taken one month's leave from HKS duties to focus on campaigning and has completed her first round of field visits.
Political Experts Analyze the Trend
Public policy experts see this development as a response to the declining youth movements in the state. D Dhanuraj, chairman of the Centre for Public Policy Research, explained: "People are closely acquainted with HKS members because they visit households every month and belong to the same locality."
Psephologists note that HKS members have become the latest addition to traditionally preferred candidate pools that include teachers. J Prabhash, former vice-chancellor of Kerala University, emphasized the significance of this trend: "With 50% reservation for women in local body polls, parties are actively searching for women candidates who have presence in the public sphere. HKS members fill the void since they are active in the public domain and are easier to persuade into electoral politics."
Regional Distribution of HKS Candidates
The political participation of HKS workers shows significant regional variation across Kerala:
- Thiruvananthapuram leads with 83 candidates
- Alappuzha follows with 63 candidates
- Kollam has 62 candidates in the fray
- Kasaragod and Pathanamthitta have the lowest numbers with 12 and 14 candidates respectively
This widespread participation demonstrates how local body elections are becoming more accessible to grassroots workers who have earned public trust through their regular community service.
As for Anitha Babu, while she's fully engaged in her political campaign, she hasn't yet decided what she will do with her HKS duties if elected. Her story, along with those of 546 other HKS members, represents a significant shift in Kerala's political dynamics, where public service experience is becoming a valuable qualification for political leadership.
