An election which could impact food habits and geo-politics beyond the borders of Kerala has thrown up a hung verdict. In a result that stunned Conservatives, Liberals and Labour activists, Porotta has emerged the single largest party, but ended short of simple majority. In effect, Porotta and beef still can't be named the national food of Kerala.
After a day-long campaign which saw heated sloganeering and nuanced debates on twitter, porotta-beef finished the clear leader with 42% votes. Puttu came a distant second with 23%, just one point ahead of Kappa-meen. The Labour-backed Kanjiyum-Payarum ended last with 13%.
High drama followed the announcement of the results. Porotta canvassed for support from any of its three rivals, promising them coveted titles like deputy national food, but none of them found the offers tasty enough.
"The rules have been changed at the last moment, nowhere did the poll say the winner would need simple majority to be named the national food of Kerala," complained porotta as it came out of the counting booth.
Political experts say the results will have far-reaching implications. Coming close on the heels of Mahagathbandhan's stunning win in Bihar, a grand alliance between Puttu, Kappa-Meen and Kanji can't be ruled out in future. As is evident from the poll results, a multicornered contest helped Porotta-Beef.
Experts are also questioning campaign tactics of the rival candidates. "Puttu, Kappa-Meen and Kanjiyum-Payarum ran a very negative campaign against Porotta-beef, telling voters how harmful that food devoid of fibre and full of cholesterol is. The campaign was very negative from the outset," said experts, "They should instead have focused on what they had to offer." In comparison, Porotta-Beef ran almost a silent campaign.
Puttu's decision to go solo also came under fire. "Puttu probably missed a trick by saying it can go with any combo. Those who voted for Porotta-Beef were voting more for beef than porotta," said @CarDroidusMax. Porotta clearly benefited from its choice of ally. One of the country's top opinion makers, @Zakka_Jacob, for example tweeted his support for beef fry, without mentioning porotta. The point was also highlighted by @DilliChat, who said, "The poll is unfairly influenced by beefeaters on Twitter."
A few participants questioned the choice of contestants. "Please add Appam and chicken stew to the list," said @anna_isaac. The organizer of the poll, Jasoos Narayanan Kutty, clarified the "contestants were based on popular use and statewide prominence". Responding to questions over the absence of chilli gobhi, Kutty said, "It is a dish that plays a supporting role. Also there are concerns China might drag us to the International Court claiming proprietary rights on Chilli Gobhi." Asked why Kozhikodan biryani wasn't picked, he brushed aside the criticism, and just walked away without offering an explanation. His rude reaction has sparked an outrage in the Malabar region.
The election results have also put the spotlight on Kerala's embattled chief minister Ommen Chandy, already reeling from sleaze and bribery allegations. "The result is shit, Mukhya Mantri raaji veykkuka (Chief Minister must resign," demanded Kanji supporter @Zanata_Stone. The CM's office has offered no comments on the development so far.
A few purists tried to use the occasion to hit out at the invasion of South Indian cuisine. "Paneer thulayatte (To hell with paneer)," said @CarDroidusMax, and added, "I used to like paneer until it was positioned as a battle tank in a culture war." Many are reading it as an attack on Paneer Dosa.
In a related development, a kanji supporter sought exclusion of Kanjiyum-Payarum from future polls. "Kanji should be given a status above national food of Kerala. Akin to nectar of gods!" said @mentabolism. Jasoos Narayanan Kutty responded by declaring Kanji the Father of the National Food.
"The decision doesn't hold. How can we have a Father of the National Food when we haven't decided what the National food is," questioned critics. Porotta has a filed a petition in the high court against what it called ‘Kutty's unilateral decision'.
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Slogans raised in the campaign
1.
പുട്ടും കടലേം
പുട്ടും പരിപ്പും
പുട്ടും മട്ടണുo
പുട്ടും ബീഫും
പുട്ടും പഞ്ചാരേം
പുട്ടും പഴവും
പുട്ടും കിഴ്ങും
പുട്ടും പാലും
പുട്ടും ചായേം
Puttu goes with anything Vote for puttu, discover a world of options
2.
കപ്പേം മീനും
കപ്പേം ബീഫും
കപ്പേം ചമ്മ്ന്തീം
കപ്പേം കള്ളും
കപ്പേം മുളകും
കപ്പവറുത്ത്
കപ്പഒലത്തു
കപ്പേം പപ്പടോം
കപ്പ ബിരിയാണി
Kappa -- As inclusive as you can be ( @shabeeraa)
3.
കഞ്ഞി. കുറച്ച് പഴയതാണെങ്കിൽ അരവോട്ട് കൂടി (@unclebhageeran)
4.
പുട്ടാണേ, പുട്ടാണേ
അയലതും, വീട്ടിലും പുട്ടാണേ
ഓരോ വോട്ടും പുട്ടിനു
5.
പുട്ടടിക്കും, പുട്ടടിക്കും
പുട്ടിനു കുത്തിയാൽ പുട്ടടിക്കും
Don't waste ur valuable vote, support porotta
6.
പൊറോട്ടക്കു തീറെഴുതിയ നാടല്ല കേരളം
ഓരോ വോട്ടും കഞ്ഞിക്കു
7.
അച്യുതനുച്ച്ചയ്ക്ക് മകറോണി
കൊച്ചു ഗോപാലനും മകറോണി
പോലീസ് ഏമാനും മകറോണി
എവിടെ പോയി പുട്ടും കടലേം
