Kerala Assembly polls 2026: campaign trail heats up in Kundara as three major fronts intensify their reach-out programmes

The electoral climate in Kundara is reaching an exciting level with three major fronts intensifying their outreach programmes, each bringing a unique energy to the campaign. From places of worship to cashew factories and busy intersections, the air is filled with political rhetoric and promises of a transformed future for this important constituency in Kollam.

At a local cashew factory sits PC Vishnunadh, MLA from the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), setting a personal and empathetic tone. Known for his affable demeanor, Mr. Vishnunadh spends considerable time listening to the complaints of women workers whose livelihoods depend on the struggling cashew industry. His campaign strategy relies heavily on his accessibility and track record over the past five years, which he describes as a period of being “with the people” at every developmental milestone.

He challenges skeptics to verify his performance through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, positioning himself as a hard-working opposition representative who has to overcome government discrimination to implement projects. Confident in his ‘attimari vijayam’ against J. Mercykutty Amma from 2021, Mr. Vishnunadh is confident that the people will ignore the false allegations and reward him with an even bigger majority this time, predicting a landslide 100-seat victory for the UDF across the state.

LDF candidate SL Sajikumar during campaigns in Kundara. | Photo Credit: C. SURESHKUMAR

In Kottamkara, SL Sajikumar of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) presents a completely different narrative, focusing on what he calls the recession period. His campaign is characterized by high-energy interactions; waving to supporters and engaging in debates about the political significance of the polls. Mr. Sajikumar’s main contention is that while Kerala is advancing rapidly, Kundara is lagging behind under the current leadership. He often refers to Ms. Mercykutty Amma’s legacy and states that development works worth ₹1,400 crore were implemented during her tenure. According to Mr. Sajikumar, the current MLA has only focused on existing projects without starting anything new. He promises a complete overhaul of the constituency if the Left comes to power again, promising to bring in a slew of projects across all sectors that will mark Kundara’s presence on the map.

Adding a third dimension to the contest is Robin Radhakrishnan of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), who injects the campaign with celebrity charisma and a focus on ‘change’.

NDA candidate Robin Radhakrishnan during an election campaign in Kundara Assembly constituency in Kollam on Saturday. | Photo Credit: C. SURESHKUMAR

While strolling through Elampallur with an enthusiastic entourage, he stops to seek blessings from an old woman, who responds by gently placing her hand on his head. His assessment of the current situation is scathing, as he argues that progress in vital sectors such as health, education and infrastructure has come to a halt. Dr. Robin promises to remake Kundara as a model constituency and offers a bold political guarantee: bringing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the district within 90 days of his victory, providing a direct channel for residents to voice their concerns to the country’s top leaders.

As candidates move between constituencies, voters are presented with three different visions: Mr. Vishnunadh’s call for continuity, Mr. Sajikumar’s promise of a brighter era and Dr. Robin’s call for radical change towards a model future supported by the union government. With the high-stakes fight for the seat reflecting Kerala’s wider political climate, the road to Kundara is not just about local issues but also a fight for the identity of the constituency’s future.