As Kerala heads to polls, fishermen say manifestos will decide their vote

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: (Mar 20) Ahead of the April 9 Assembly elections in Kerala, a familiar refrain echoes through its coastal villages-- "Whoever forms the government, we will continue to live the same life, struggling in the sea."

The sentiment underlines a sense of neglect among fishermen who believe political parties have largely overlooked their demands.

The fishermen in Kerala, the majority of whom belong to the Latin Catholic community (about 20 lakh in number), do not function as a unified vote bank, but the Church does influence their political decisions.