Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: Pinarayi Vijayan seeks historic third term, urges voters to back LDF

Making a strong pitch for a third consecutive term, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday (April 7, 2026) urged voters to return the Left Democratic Front (LDF) to power. He framed the upcoming Assembly elections as a decisive choice between continuing Kerala’s development trajectory or risking a reversal under the Opposition.

According to Mr. Vijayan, the forthcoming election carries added significance as it will determine whether the State can build on the social and economic gains achieved over the past decade.

In an open letter to the public, he called on the electorate to deliver the LDF a “historic hat-trick victory,” as he highlighted the inclusive governance that had improved everyday life across sections of society.

The Chief Minister launched a scathing attack on the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and accused the rival coalitions of misleading voters with “unrealistic promises” and falsehoods.

He alleged that the UDF continued its deceptive efforts, and also criticised the BJP for attempting to gain political ground in Kerala despite purportedly contributing little to the national freedom struggle or the State’s social progress. He also accused the NDA government at the Centre of denying Kerala its rightful financial entitlements, prompting the State to approach the Supreme Court to wrest its constitutional rights.

Transformative policies

Defending his government’s record since 2016, the Chief Minister said the LDF had carried forward the legacy of transformative policies initiated by the 1957 government led by E.M.S. Namboodiripad.

He highlighted the major welfare and development interventions undertaken by the LDF government, including the hiked social security pension of ₹2000 a month that benefited 62 lakh people, housing for more than five lakh families under the LIFE Mission, strengthening public health care and education through mission-mode programmes, infrastructure development through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), and the progress of flagship projects such as the Vizhinjam International Seaport.

Mr. Vijayan also pointed to other milestones such as digital literacy, free education up to the undergraduate level, land distribution to the landless, and efforts to eliminate extreme poverty in the State.

He also stressed on the government’s handling of multiple crises, including the Nipah outbreak, Cyclone Ockhi, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic. During such circumstances, Kerala ensured food, health care and social protection for all sections, including migrant workers, he said, as he contrasted such initiatives with the alleged shortcomings in BJP-ruled States.

He added that major infrastructure works, including the widening of National Highway 66, were nearing completion, while pointing out that the government had to bear significant land acquisition costs amounting to ₹5,580 crore, making Kerala the only State to fund such a project. He also claimed that Kerala consistently ranked first in national indicators such as health, education, housing and industrial ecosystem.

Notably, Mr. Vijayan asserted that the State had maintained social harmony without communal unrest during the LDF’s tenure.

Questioning the credibility of the Opposition’s assurances, Mr. Vijayan cited the delays in welfare pension payments under the UDF regime in the past, and dismissed the Congress-led coalition’s recent promises as financially unviable. He also accused the Congress of mismanaging funds meant for disaster rehabilitation, despite collecting funds from the public.

Promises fulfilled

“While Congress governments demolish homes for the poor elsewhere, the LDF builds homes for them here. While the UDF deceives the public with promises, the LDF fulfils them and stands with confidence before the people,” he stated.

The Chief Minister emphasised that the LDF’s governance model was rooted in inclusivity and development for all. Invoking the ideals of Sree Narayana Guru of “One caste, one religion, one God for mankind,” he said the government aimed at taking Kerala to greater heights by ensuring welfare and progress for every citizen.

He expressed confidence that the people of Kerala would back the LDF again with an even stronger mandate than in 2021.

Published – April 07, 2026 06:56 pm IST