The total electoral strength is just 37,000, less than what would populate a civic division in a big city. Personalities and personal network therefore count here more than politics. The man who has beaten others at it, successively since 1967, is Congress candidate and former Lok Sabha deputy speaker P.M. Sayeed. Only Khagapati Pradhani of Nowrangpur, Orissa, matches his record of nine wins in a row from the same seat.

Sayeed is contesting for the 10th time now. However, for the first time, his rival will not be Dr Muhamad Koya. The man on the other side of therecord won an election -- as the Lakshadweep district panchayat president -- last year and has opted out. However, Koya has deputed his confidant, Dr K.P. Muthu Koya, to take on Sayeed.

There are other things adding colour this time to the oft-repeated battle. The number of candidates has hit an all-time high -- of four, while the Opposition Janata Dal (JD) is going in with a split. While Muhamad Koya is now a JD (United) member, the JD (Secular) has fielded F.K. Hussain as its candidate. Ameer Biyyammada has joined the race as an Independent.

Sayeed is seeking votes on the basis of the developmental activities he claims to have initiated on the islands, besides promising setting up of a mini-Assembly and revival of the Island Development Authority.

Muthu Koya's promises include a Legislative Assembly, a self-sufficiency package for the islands, a training centre for marines at Minicoy, a better market for products from the island, more employment opportunities and financial assistance for medicaltreatment of islanders.

He is also campaigning against ``the ineffective and wasteful spending of Central funds, fall in educational standards, rising unemployment, lapse of MPs' fund and the upper hand the bureaucracy enjoys over people's representatives''.

If Androth, Agathy, Kadamam, Chethalath, Minicoy and Bitra islands are considered Sayeed strongholds, Muthu Koya claims to have a following on Ammeny, Kavaratty, Kilthan and Kalpeny. However, many expect Hussain to cut into Muthu Koya's votes in Minicoy, his home island.

But neither that nor the effect of the JD(U)-BJP alliance on the Muslim electorate deters Muthu Koya. ``We are not alienated from the masses following our tie-up with the BJP. Moreover, people will vote in favour of a candidate who is a part of the winning political front,'' he feels.

Sayeed is equally confident of repeating his feat.``It was during the Congress rule that the islands witnessed the maximum development and my contribution has been repeatedly endorsed by voters. Itis on my performance that I am seeking a mandate,'' he says. The Congress leader is sure that the JD(U) tie-up with the BJP will affect Muthu Koya's prospects, noting that the latter is ``even shy of exhibiting posters featuring BJP leader A.B. Vajpayee and George Fernandes fearing a backlash''.

The party also claims to have fully recovered from its internal squabbles that had helped the JD post an unexpected victory in the civic body elections last year.