As the Lok Sabha election approaches, Vattavada, a village near Munnar in Idukki, stands out for its history of election boycott.
In 1984, the entire village boycotted the Lok Sabha polls demanding basic amenities. Their steadfast protest yielded results; soon after, Vattavada witnessed construction of roads and schools, transforming into a thriving tourist hub within Munnar.
The ‘boycott movement’ was led by village heads of Kottakamboor, Koviloor, and Vattavada with the support of Gandhi Dasan (Janata Party), Raj Mannadiyar (Congress), Murukayya (CPI[M]), and N.K. Subrahmanyan (CPI). In Vattavada, over 90% of families are of Tamil origin.
