Kerala election 2026: Tight three-way contest keeps all camps on edge in Aranmula
The road from Prakkanam winds through restless hills, surrounded by dense rubber plantations that seem to close in on both sides. A few hundred meters from the junction at Valiyavattom, a group of women wait near a roadside chapel, shifting restlessly in the sweltering afternoon heat. It’s 3am and the air is heavy with anticipation.
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Suddenly, the sound of the announcement vehicle is heard, punctuated by the steady beat of the drums. The sky turns a dull gray as United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Abin Varkey’s convoy approaches in Aranmula. There is little time to pause. After a quick greeting and a handful of greetings, he’s on the microphone. His speech is direct and pointed, targeting ‘decades of failed rule under the Left Democratic Front (LDF)’.
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“My hope rests on that turnout,” Mr. Varkey says, gesturing to the mostly female crowd. “This is what we see everywhere. Anti-incumbency is clearly evident, especially against incumbent MLA and Health Minister Veena George.” A group of energetic Kerala Students Union (KSU) workers around him reflect this confidence. Mr Varkey, the Youth Congress leader, feeds off their energy as the convoy continues moving forward even as the sky grows darker.
A few kilometers away, at Mannumbhagom near Elanthoor, the mood is different but no less exciting. Senior candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kummanam Rajasekharan attends a family function. A light drizzle begins, but a group of young people break the rain with vanchippattu (boat song) and welcome the island in traditional style. Soon the drizzle turns into a steady downpour, the winds pick up, but the candidate remains firmly in campaign mode.
“So tell me, how many total votes are there in booth number 134 and exactly what is our share?” he asks. “The booth has about 800 votes and we expect around 350 votes,” comes the answer. But Mr Rajasekharan is not convinced. “Be clear. I don’t want approximate figures,” he says sternly.
A serious challenge
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is sensing an opening. The BJP, which has a strong base among the Nair and Ezhava communities and there are signs of a shift among sections of the Christian electorate in Central Travancore, believes it could face a serious challenge. Mr. Rajasekharan’s visibility during the anti-airport agitation in Aranmula continues to increase his recall value on the ground.
At Thonniyamala near Kadammanitta, the landscape tells a story of degradation. The rain has only just eased, leaving fallen trees, downed power lines and damaged banana farms. But the mood among LDF workers is anything but subdued.
LDF candidate Veena George arrives amidst a noisy convoy, red flags blocking the fading light. In a noisy campaign, he briefly steps into a quieter area, heading directly to a nearby Bible church. The priest raises his hand and says, “All our prayers are with you.” Mrs. George bowed slightly. The Pentecostal community, which has a significant presence here, has largely supported the LDF.
He soon takes to the microphone and shifts the focus to governance. “When I first contested, Thonniyamala had little access to the outside world. Today there are roads and electricity, and work is underway to improve access to drinking water,” he says, framing the election as a choice between continuity and change.
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As the convoy progresses and darkness begins to fall, the fight at Aranmula remains very even.
It’s not a predictable contest
With just a few days left for voting, Aranmula is no longer a predictable contest. What once seemed simple has turned into a bitter battle. Aranmula, one of the largest constituencies in Kerala, has over 2.14 lakh voters. It recorded the highest voter turnout in the state in 2021 with over 2.37 lakh voters. Its vast and diverse terrain forced candidates to squeeze outreach into tight, high-intensity schedules.
The constituency has rarely followed a straight political script. Following reorganization of the constituency in 2008, UDF secured the seat in 2011. Thereafter, the LDF turned the tables in the next two elections, while the UDF continued to dominate in the Lok Sabha and local body polls.
It was published – 06 April 2026 10:17 IST
