Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: UDF stronghold faces key battles in Ponnani, Thavanur, Tirur, Mankada

As the State goes to polls on Thursday (April 9), Malappuram appears to be a sure bet for the United Democratic Front (UDF), which currently holds 13 of the 16 Assembly seats in the district.

While the overall balance is unlikely to shift dramatically, several constituencies are shaping up for tough, closely watched contests. Among them are Ponnani, Thavanur, Tirur, Tanur, Vengara, Mankada, Perinthalmanna, and Nilambur.

Ponnani, Thavanur, and Tanur, the three constituencies held by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the outgoing Assembly, are witnessing fierce contests. Tanur, in particular, looks precarious for the LDF, as the UDF has mounted a strong challenge by fielding young leader P.K. Nawas.

Sensing the shift, Tanur’s LDF incumbent and Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman has moved himself to Tirur, where he takes on UDF incumbent Kurukkoli Moideen. While Mr. Abdurahiman’s network and resources could make an impact, overcoming Mr. Moideen’s strong local support will be a challenge.

Ponnani, a traditional stronghold of the LDF, is witnessing a closely fought battle between M.K. Sakeer (LDF) and K.P. Noushad Ali (UDF). Mr. Noushad Ali, who has been focusing on Ponnani for over a year, expresses confidence in staging an upset. Yet, the LDF remains assured of its core voter base in the constituency.

Next door in Thavanur, incumbent and former Local Administration Minister K.T. Jaleel faces a tough challenge from District Congress Committee (DCC) president V.S. Joy. Mr. Joy aims to overcome Mr. Jaleel’s narrow margin of 2,185 votes from 2021, when he defeated UDF’s Firos Kunnamparambil. Even a slight anti-incumbency sentiment could weigh heavily against Mr. Jaleel, who is vying for a fourth consecutive term in Thavanur.

Another high-stakes contest is unfolding in Mankada, where Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) incumbent Manjalamkuzhi Ali is seeking re-election against IUML rebel Kunnath Mohammed, who is backed by LDF. Mr. Ali is aiming for his sixth consecutive term in the Assembly. Two of his earlier terms were as an LDF independent. He now faces a particularly fierce challenge. The LDF’s support for Mr. Mohammed, framed around “avenging” Mr. Ali’s alleged betrayal of the front in 2010, has heightened the intensity of the race.

Perinthalmanna is another constituency under the spotlight. In 2021, IUML’s Najeeb Kanthapuram narrowly defeated LDF’s K.P. Mustafa by just 38 votes, while in 2016, Mr. Ali had won the seat with a 579-vote margin. Since then, Mr. Kanthapuram has consolidated his support base, yet the LDF remains determined to reverse those close calls through CPI(M)’s V.P. Mohammed Haneefa, seeking to settle scores from the 2016 and 2021 elections.

Nilambur, held by LDF in 2021, swung to the UDF after P.V. Anvar quit the seat in 2025, paving the way for Aryadan Shoukath to win the by-election. This year, Mr. Shoukath is seeking re-election, facing a challenge from former Indian footballer U. Sharaf Ali, who is contesting as an LDF-backed independent. Mr. Sharaf Ali is the first sports personality to be fielded in Kerala’s Assembly elections.

Meanwhile, in Vengara, much attention is on the UDF shuffle, with incumbent P.K. Kunhalikutty shifting to Malappuram and K.M. Shaji stepping in as the UDF candidate. Despite the buzz, the constituency’s historical trends and voter base remain firmly in the UDF’s favour.

Several other constituencies, including Malappuram, Kottakkal, Tirurangadi, Eranad, Manjeri, Wandoor, Kondotty and Vallikkunnu, are considered UDF bastions, where LDF candidates face steep challenges in making a significant impact. Overall, while a few constituencies promise tight contests, Malappuram remains firmly a UDF stronghold as the State heads to the polls on Thursday.

Published – April 07, 2026 09:21 pm IST