Kerala Election 2026: From Pinarayi Vijayan To Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Star Candidates In Focus

Last Updated:April 07, 2026, 21:12 IST

Kerala election 2026: Key battles feature LDF vs UDF with BJP pushing in Nemom and leaders like Vijayan and Chennithala in focus.

Kerala election 2026: The high-octane campaign for the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections ended on Tuesday, setting the stage for a decisive contest. Voting for the single-phase polls will take place on April 9, while counting is scheduled for May 4.

Kerala is witnessing a direct fight between the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), with the BJP-led NDA attempting to expand its footprint in some constituencies.

Here are the star candidates, their seats, and the battles to watch:

Pinarayi Vijayan — Dharmadam

Dharmadam in Kannur has become synonymous with Pinarayi Vijayan’s political authority. A CPI(M) stronghold, he has represented the seat since 2016, winning in 2021 by a margin exceeding 50,000 votes—one of the biggest in the state.

A former party strongman and Kerala’s longest-serving CM in recent times, Vijayan’s campaign hinges on governance, welfare delivery, and infrastructure push.

In Dharmadam, the primary challenger comes from the Congress-led UDF, which has historically struggled to dent the Left’s dominance here. The BJP, too, remains a marginal player in this constituency.

Ramesh Chennithala — Haripad

A senior Congress leader and former Leader of Opposition, Chennithala is contesting from Haripad—one of UDF’s safest seats.

He secured over 48% vote share in 2021, winning by more than 13,000 votes. Known for his organisational skills and administrative experience, he is among the prominent CM faces of the UDF.

The LDF fields a CPI candidate here, but Haripad’s historical trend—firmly tilted towards Congress—makes Chennithala the clear favourite. The BJP has limited influence in this coastal belt.

V. D. Satheesan — Paravur

Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan has built an unshakeable base in Paravur, remaining unbeaten since 2001. In 2021, he retained the seat with a margin of over 21,000 votes.

Seen as the aggressive face of the Congress campaign, Satheesan has positioned himself as a key challenger to the ruling Left.

The CPI(M) continues to field a strong candidate against him, but Paravur’s consistent pro-Congress leaning and Satheesan’s personal connect make this a tough hill to climb for the LDF.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar — Nemom

Nemom is Kerala BJP’s most politically significant constituency. It delivered the party’s first and only assembly win in 2016 before returning to the Left in 2021.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a technocrat-turned-politician and Union minister, is the BJP’s high-profile bet here. His candidacy signals the party’s intent to convert Nemom into a long-term foothold.

The CPI(M) is fielding a strong candidate to retain the seat, while the Congress is also a serious contender—making Nemom a rare triangular contest in a largely bipolar state.

Jose K. Mani — Pala

Kerala Congress (M) chief Jose K. Mani, who is now aligned with the LDF, is fighting to retain his grip over Pala. The seat has been historically held by Kerala Congress (M) under late K M Mani for over five decades before UDF candidate Mani C Kappan defeated Jose K Mani in 2019 bypoll.

K. K. Shailaja — Peravoor

A widely respected leader known for her handling of the Nipah outbreak and COVID-19, K. K. Shailaja is among the most recognisable faces of the Left. After a massive win from Mattannur in 2021, she has been fielded from Peravoor—traditionally a Congress-leaning seat. She faces sitting MLA Sunny Joseph, who narrowly won in 2021 by just over 3,000 votes. With Congress historically dominant but margins shrinking, Peravoor has emerged as one of the most keenly watched contests in the state.

Chandy Oommen — Puthuppally

Puthuppally is more than a constituency—it is a legacy seat of the Congress. For over five decades, it was represented by former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. Chandy Oommen, his son, carried forward that legacy with a resounding win in the 2023 bypoll, securing a margin of over 35,000 votes.

A first-time MLA with growing political visibility, he now faces the challenge of defending this emotional stronghold. The CPI(M) is once again the principal challenger, but Puthuppally’s deep-rooted Congress loyalty makes it a difficult contest for the Left.

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