Kerala Assembly Polls 2026: Poll narrative to be shaped by issues ranging from energy crisis to developmental issues

Although the public discourse in Kerala is currently dominated by internal bickering among various political outfits ahead of the Assembly elections, the poll narrative is likely to be shaped by a range of issues in the coming days, including economic concerns arising from the West Asian crisis, developmental issues within the State, controversies that have been plaguing both the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) for some time, as well as high-stakes identity and religious issues, as Kerala heads into the much-anticipated Assembly elections in April.

According to Dr. D. Dhanuraj, Founder-Chairman of the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), developmental and governance-related concerns, along with issues such as Sabarimala raised by the Opposition, and internal discord within political fronts, will dominate discussions in the run-up to the elections. He added that the energy crisis and the West Asian conflict, although India is not directly involved, could influence voters in certain pockets, particularly among minority communities, he said.

However, he noted that voters are likely to be more concerned about long-term developmental issues rather than short-lived political controversies. On the West Asian crisis, he observed that the Centre has been maintaining a studied silence, while Left parties, traditionally known for their anti-colonial stance, are treading cautiously in view of changing religious equations, although the issue is very significant for Kerala, which has a diaspora of around 3.5 million people in the Gulf region.

Dr. J. Prabhash, political analyst and former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Kerala University, believes that once the dust settles over candidate selection controversies across the three fronts, issues such as Sabarimala including the gold theft and the women’s entry issue, are likely to resurface. He added that the Opposition will also seek to highlight anti-incumbency factors, while the ruling front will counter these by showcasing its developmental achievements. Both fronts, however, are unlikely to aggressively target internal issues within rival camps, as each is grappling with factional challenges of its own.

Meanwhile, the alleged neglect of non-BJP-ruled States by the Centre, including what is often described as an financial seige, is expected to be raised by both the Left and the Opposition. Although the BJP is not a dominant force in Kerala, it is expected to strengthen its presence after the elections, even if its numerical strength remains limited, Mr. Prabhash said.

The proposed strike by hoteliers in Kerala, protesting the shortage of commercial LPG, is also likely to emerge as a major public concern in the coming days. “There is also apprehension that fuel prices may be increased after the elections in the five States, along with the possibility of further energy restrictions if the West Asian crisis continues,” Mr. Dhanuraj added.