Kerala Assembly polls: Pinarayi Vijayan files nomination from Dharmadam

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday (March 19, 2026) filed his nomination papers as the Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate from the Dharmadam Assembly constituency in Kannur.

Mr. Vijayan submitted the nomination papers at 11 a.m. before Returning Officer Sachin Krishna, thus becoming the first candidate to file nomination in the constituency. The formalities were completed within 15 minutes, after which he left the venue.

The election deposit amount for Mr. Vijayan was handed over by Punalur Somarajan and K. Varadarajan, officer-bearers of Gandhi Bhavan, Punalur. The amount was contributed by inmates of Gandhi Bhavan. This marks the third consecutive time that the inmates of Gandhi Bhavan have provided the deposit amount for Mr. Vijayan’s candidature. The contribution comes from a share of the income generated through the sale of handicrafts and other items made by them.

Though an earlier plan involved a vehicle procession from Pinarayi to the Sub-Registrar Office, the Chief Minister chose to avoid it and reached the office directly. He was accompanies by Speaker A.N Shamseer, CPI(M) central committee member E.P. Jayarajan, district secretary K.K. Ragesh and leader P. Sasi among others.

Mr. Vijayan was accompanied by Speaker A.N. Shamseer, CPI(M) central committee member E.P. Jayarajan, district secretary K.K. Ragesh and leader P. Sasi, among others.

Responding briefly to the media, Mr. Vijayan said: “I have things to say, I will say them later,” before leaving for Malappuram, where he is scheduled to attend various programmes in the evening.

Mr. Vijayan indicated in a speech at Mambaram a day earlier that he may not be able to spend full time campaigning in the constituency, as he would need to lead campaign efforts in other parts of the State. He also urged party workers to take responsibility for reaching out to voters locally.

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Mr. Vijayan is contesting from Dharmadam for the third time. He had previously contested thrice from Kuthuparamba, and once from Taliparamba. The United Democratic Front has fielded Youth Congress State general secretary V.P. Abdul Rasheed, and the BJP has fielded K. Ranjith as their candidates in the constituency.