Elections – Kerala Assembly Polls See Tight Contest as Vijayan Eyes Third Term
Elections – Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday voiced strong confidence in the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) as polling progressed for the 2026 Assembly elections. After casting his vote in Kannur, the veteran leader said the alliance continues to enjoy public support and dismissed attempts to influence voters through misleading narratives.
Confidence in Public Support
Addressing reporters, Vijayan underlined that the LDF’s decade-long engagement with people remains its biggest strength. He stressed that efforts to sway voters through misinformation or divisive messaging would not succeed. According to him, the government’s consistent focus on development and welfare has helped build trust among citizens, which he believes will reflect in the election outcome.
He further added that the LDF’s journey over the past ten years has been closely aligned with public aspirations, and the alliance intends to continue on that path. His remarks come at a time when political campaigns across the state have intensified, with all major fronts making a final push to secure votes.
Dharmadam Seat Draws Key Attention
Vijayan is contesting once again from Dharmadam, a constituency long considered a stronghold of the Left. However, the current election is witnessing a more competitive environment compared to previous years. Both the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have fielded candidates in an effort to challenge the Chief Minister.
The UDF has nominated VP Abdul Rasheed, while the NDA has put forward K Ranjith. Although Dharmadam has historically favored the Left, the presence of multiple strong contenders has added an element of unpredictability to the contest.
Past Victories and Development Focus
Vijayan has secured decisive victories in both the 2016 and 2021 Assembly elections. In the last election, he won by a margin exceeding 50,000 votes, reinforcing his position in the constituency. His campaign this time has highlighted the completion of key infrastructure projects, including major bypass roads and local development initiatives.
Kannur, often seen as the ideological backbone of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), holds symbolic importance for the LDF. A win here is expected to strengthen the party’s narrative of stability and governance, while also projecting Kerala as a state focused on modernization and technological progress.
Voter Demographics and Previous Results
According to data from the Election Commission of India, Dharmadam has a total electorate of 1,84,844 voters. Among them, 85,665 are male voters and 99,179 are female voters, indicating a significant female voter presence in the constituency.
In the 2021 elections, Vijayan secured 95,522 votes, accounting for nearly 59.8 percent of the total votes cast. His closest rival from the UDF received around 28.4 percent, reflecting a comfortable lead for the incumbent Chief Minister at the time.
Statewide Contest and Expectations
Polling for all 140 seats in the Kerala Legislative Assembly is currently underway, with counting scheduled for May 4. The election is being closely watched as both the LDF and UDF aim to cross the majority mark of 71 seats.
At the same time, the BJP-led NDA is attempting to expand its presence in the state. The alliance is looking to build on its performance in local body elections, particularly in Thiruvananthapuram, as it seeks an entry into the Assembly.
With multiple parties actively competing and voter turnout expected to play a crucial role, the outcome of the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections is likely to shape the state’s political direction for the coming years.