Kerala Assembly polls 2026: Electioneering enters next phase in Kottayam

With the scrutiny of nominations complete, battle lines in Kottayam are now sharply drawn, as political fronts shift gears and launch an all-out push to dominate the campaign trail across constituencies.

In the 2021 Assembly elections, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) secured five of the nine constituencies in the district, while the United Democratic Front (UDF) won the remaining four. This time, both alliances are aiming to increase their tally, even as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) hopes to open its account. As part of the second phase of campaigning, all three fronts will begin holding public meetings across the district this week.

The LDF’s campaign will gather momentum with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s visit to Kottayam on Wednesday. He is scheduled to address public meetings in four constituencies, highlighting the development and welfare initiatives undertaken by the government over the past decade. The first meeting will be held at 11 a.m. in Kanjirappally, followed by meetings at 4 p.m. in Perunna, 5 p.m. in Ettumanoor, and 6 p.m. in Pala.

LDF candidates in Kottayam, Pala, Changanassery, Kanjirappally, Poonjar, and Kaduthuruthy will begin their constituency tours on Friday, while candidates in Ettumanur and Puthuppally will start them on Saturday.

“Booth-level meetings and house visits are progressing across constituencies. This time, the LDF counts on winning at least seven seats in Kottayam,” said a Kerala Congress (M) leader.

The UDF leadership, meanwhile, has completed the first round of campaign activities in all constituencies. “In the second phase, squad work will begin across constituencies. Public meetings will also be organised at multiple locations. Senior leaders, including K.C. Venugopal, V.D. Satheesan, Sunny Joseph and others, will soon arrive in Kottayam to intensify the campaign,” said Philson Mathew, UDF district convener.

The NDA, meanwhile, is aiming to make significant inroads in the eastern parts of the district by fielding prominent candidates in Kanjirappally, Poonjar, and Pala. The alliance’s constituency-level election conventions are under way and are expected to conclude within a few days. BDJS president Thushar Vellappally will inaugurate the election convention of NDA candidate P. Anilkumar in Kottayam on Wednesday.

“Candidates will begin their second phase of campaigning this week with constituency tours. At the same time, NDA workers will carry out squad work and house visits,” an NDA leader said.