The Battle for Kerala, 890 Candidates, 140 Seats, and a Political Landscape Poised for a Historic Contest
As the State Prepares for Assembly Elections on April 9, the Number of Candidates Has Dropped from 2021, but the Stakes Remain as High as Ever
With the deadline for the withdrawal of candidature ending on Thursday, a total of 890 candidates are left in the fray for the April 9 Assembly elections in Kerala. The data was released by Chief Electoral Officer (Kerala) Rathan U. Kelkar on Thursday evening after the deadline for the withdrawal of nominations ended at 3 p.m. The total number of candidates is 67 less than that in the 2021 Assembly elections.
At first glance, a drop in the number of candidates might suggest a less competitive election. But in Kerala, where politics is fought with passion and precision, the numbers tell a more complex story. The 2021 election saw 957 candidates in the fray; this year, 890 candidates will contest across 140 constituencies. The reduction reflects not a decline in political engagement but a consolidation of alliances, a sharper focus on winnability, and a political landscape that has become more polarised than ever.
The Numbers Behind the Election
In all, 985 candidates cleared the scrutiny of nomination papers. Of these, 1,254 candidates had filed 2,125 nomination papers. After withdrawals, 890 remain. This means that nearly 100 candidates who cleared scrutiny chose to withdraw—a significant number that reflects the intense negotiations and strategic calculations that go into the final stages of election preparation.
In the 2021 elections, 957 candidates were in the fray. Back then, a total of 2,180 nominations had been filed across the State, which shrunk to 1,061 after scrutiny. The drop in candidates this year is not dramatic—67 fewer than last time—but it is notable.
This time, Koduvally has the highest number of candidates, with 13 in the fray. It is followed by Manjeswaram, Peravur, and Thiruvananthapuram, with 11 candidates each. These constituencies will be among the most fiercely contested, with multiple candidates splitting the vote and making the outcomes difficult to predict.
The Two Fronts
Kerala’s political landscape is defined by the bipolar contest between the Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the United Democratic Front (UDF), led by the Indian National Congress. In recent years, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as a third force, particularly in certain constituencies, but the state remains fundamentally a two-front battleground.
The LDF is seeking re-election after a five-year term that was marked by unprecedented challenges: the COVID-19 pandemic, devastating floods, and a struggling economy. The government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has been both praised for its handling of the pandemic and criticised for its perceived authoritarianism and economic mismanagement.
The UDF, led by the Congress, is seeking to return to power after a decade in opposition. The party has been working to rebuild its organisational strength and project a united front after years of internal factionalism. The Congress’s alliance partners, including the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the Kerala Congress (M), are critical to its electoral prospects.
The BJP, which has never won a seat in the Kerala Assembly, is hoping to make inroads this time. The party has been investing heavily in the state, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting frequently and the party’s local leadership working to consolidate support among Hindu communities.
The High-Stakes Constituencies
Koduvally, with 13 candidates, will be one of the most closely watched constituencies. A high number of candidates often indicates a fragmented vote, which can benefit the candidate with a dedicated base. In Koduvally, which has a significant Muslim population, the IUML has traditionally been strong, but the presence of multiple independent candidates could complicate the outcome.
Manjeswaram, in the northern district of Kasaragod, is another hotly contested seat. The constituency has a significant Muslim population as well as a substantial Hindu presence. The BJP has been targeting this constituency as part of its efforts to open its account in the Kerala Assembly.
Peravur, in Thrissur district, and Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital, are also seeing high numbers of candidates. Thiruvananthapuram, in particular, is significant because it is the constituency of the Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan of the Congress. The presence of 11 candidates here means that even a small number of votes could make the difference between victory and defeat.
The Issues
The election will be fought on a range of issues. The LDF will highlight its record on infrastructure development, social welfare schemes, and its handling of the pandemic. The government’s decision to implement the Life Mission housing project and the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) schemes have been presented as achievements that have improved the lives of ordinary Keralites.
The UDF will focus on the government’s perceived failures: the allegations of corruption in the Life Mission project, the economic slowdown, and the government’s authoritarian style. The Congress will also seek to capitalise on anti-incumbency sentiment, particularly among the youth and the middle class.
The BJP will campaign on national issues—the abrogation of Article 370, the construction of the Ram Mandir, and the Citizenship Amendment Act—while also highlighting the failures of both the LDF and the UDF. The party’s campaign will be led by Prime Minister Modi, who is expected to hold several rallies in the state.
The Role of Alliances
The alliances are critical to electoral success in Kerala. The LDF comprises the CPI(M), the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and several smaller parties. The coalition has held together under the leadership of Pinarayi Vijayan, but there have been tensions over seat-sharing and candidate selection.
The UDF includes the Congress, the IUML, the Kerala Congress (M), and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP). The coalition has faced challenges, particularly over the allocation of seats to the IUML, which has traditionally been a powerful force in the Malabar region.
The BJP’s alliance includes the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), which represents the Ezhava community, and the Kerala Congress (R) faction led by P.C. George. The alliance is fragile, but it gives the BJP a presence in communities that have traditionally been outside its reach.
The Voter
Kerala’s voters are among the most politically aware in India. They are known for their high turnout and their willingness to vote across party lines. In the 2021 election, turnout was 77.68 per cent, slightly lower than the 2016 figure of 78.3 per cent. This year, the turnout is expected to be similar.
The state’s voters are also known for their tendency to alternate between the LDF and the UDF. No government has been re-elected in Kerala since 1980. This pattern of alternation is driven by a variety of factors, including anti-incumbency sentiment, the desire for change, and the perception that no party has a monopoly on good governance.
The Implications
The outcome of the Kerala election will have national implications. A victory for the LDF would be a boost for the Left in a year when it is contesting elections in several states. It would also strengthen Pinarayi Vijayan’s position within the CPI(M) and position him as a potential national leader.
A victory for the UDF would be a boost for the Congress, which has been struggling to regain its footing after a series of electoral defeats. It would also be a setback for the CPI(M) and for Pinarayi Vijayan, who has been the face of the Left in the state.
A strong showing by the BJP would be significant for the party, which has been trying to gain a foothold in Kerala for years. Even a few seats would be a major breakthrough and would signal that the BJP’s brand of Hindutva is gaining traction in a state that has historically resisted it.
Conclusion: A State at a Crossroads
Kerala is at a crossroads. The state has been a beacon of development in India, with high literacy, high life expectancy, and high human development indicators. But it also faces significant challenges: unemployment, a slowing economy, and the lingering effects of the pandemic.
The election on April 9 will determine the direction the state takes for the next five years. Will it continue on the path set by the LDF, or will it choose a new direction with the UDF? Will the BJP finally make its mark in a state that has long resisted it?
With 890 candidates in the fray, 140 seats to be decided, and the future of the state hanging in the balance, Kerala is poised for a historic contest.
Q&A: Unpacking the Kerala Assembly Election
Q1: How many candidates are contesting the Kerala Assembly elections in 2026, and how does this compare to 2021?
A: A total of 890 candidates are left in the fray for the April 9 Assembly elections. This is 67 fewer than the 957 candidates who contested in 2021. Of the 985 candidates who cleared scrutiny, nearly 100 withdrew before the deadline. The total number of nominations filed was 2,125, which came down to 985 after scrutiny and 890 after withdrawals.
Q2: Which constituencies have the highest number of candidates?
A: Koduvally has the highest number of candidates with 13, followed by Manjeswaram, Peravur, and Thiruvananthapuram with 11 candidates each. These constituencies will be among the most fiercely contested, with multiple candidates splitting the vote and making outcomes difficult to predict.
Q3: What are the main political alliances contesting the election?
A: Kerala’s political landscape is dominated by two main alliances: the Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by the CPI(M), and the United Democratic Front (UDF) led by the Congress. The LDF includes CPI(M), CPI, NCP, and smaller parties. The UDF includes Congress, IUML, Kerala Congress (M), and RSP. The BJP is contesting as a third force with its alliance partners, including the BDJS.
Q4: What are the key issues in the Kerala election?
A: The LDF is campaigning on its record of infrastructure development, social welfare schemes, and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The UDF is focusing on allegations of corruption, economic slowdown, and anti-incumbency sentiment. The BJP is campaigning on national issues like Article 370, the Ram Mandir, and the Citizenship Amendment Act, while also highlighting the failures of both LDF and UDF.
Q5: What are the national implications of the Kerala election?
A: A victory for the LDF would boost the Left nationally and strengthen Pinarayi Vijayan’s position within the CPI(M). A victory for the UDF would boost the Congress after a series of electoral defeats. A strong showing by the BJP would be significant as it tries to gain a foothold in a state that has historically resisted it. Kerala is one of the few states where no government has been re-elected since 1980, making the outcome particularly significant.
