Electoral scene heating up in Ernakulam

The electoral scene in Ernakulam district is heating up with major political parties fielding their candidates.

While the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] was quick to get off the mark by releasing the complete list of its candidates hours after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the poll schedule, inner squabbles in the Congress have delayed the announcement of party candidates in four seats in the district.

The CPI(M) took the early bird advantage in electioneering, with some of its candidates including P. Rajeeve launching their poll campaign by taking out road shows in the evening hours of March 15, 2026, the day on which the ECI announced the poll plan.

The Congress candidates had to wait for two more days to hit the campaign trail as the All India Congress Committee released the first set of candidates on March 17.

While the party announced its candidates for Angamaly, Aluva, Paravur, Ernakulam, Thrikkakara, Kunnathunadu and Muvattupuzha constituencies on the day, it is yet to zero in on the names for Kochi, Thripunithura, Vypeen and Perumbavoor seats. Busy parleys are on in New Delhi to decide on party representatives to be fielded in the four seats, of which two seats — Thripunithura and Perumbavoor — were represented in the outgoing Assembly by its nominees K. Babu and Eldhose Kunnappilly.

While Mr. Babu voluntarily opted out of the race, uncertainty looms over the candidature of Mr. Kunnappilly, against whom a serious criminal case had been booked.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the leading partner of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has decided to relegate itself to the supporting role in the poll scenario of the district and leave the lead role to Twenty20, its key ally, which will contest in nine seats.

Though the BJP is yet to release its list of candidates, Twenty20 has fielded its representatives in as many as six seats in the district which has 14 Assembly constituencies. The constituencies in which Twenty20 has announced its candidates are Angamaly, Thripunithura, Thrikkakara, Kunnathunad, Piravom, and Perumbavoor, where the party claims to be wielding considerable electoral influence.

However, the party suffered an unexpected setback on Wednesday with the name of one of its candidates reportedly missing from the electoral rolls, a prerequisite to contest the election. The party leaders are yet to officially respond to the reported gaffe, which may force the organisation to look for an alternative candidate.

Most candidates have hit the campaign trail with road shows, house visits, and meetings with prominent voters in their respective constituencies.