Kerala Assembly polls 2026: In Perumbavoor, candidates play up local connect

UDF candidate from Perumbavoor constituency, Sanooj Moththedan  during campaigning for Kerala Assembly elections, in Kochi. 
| Photo Credit:
H.VIBHU

NDA candidate from Perumbavoor constituency, Jiji Pathickal during campaigning for Kerala Assembly elections, in Kochi. 
| Photo Credit:
H.VIBHU

At Mudikkarai, a small junction about six km from Perumbavoor town, United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Manoj Moothedan addressed a small crowd of mostly his supporters around 9 a.m. on Tuesday. The choice of location to start his road show seemed strategic.

“I am happy to launch my campaign from here. I have a lot of friends and relatives at Mudikkarai. But more than that, I am all the more happy to stand on this very road, which was one of the earliest projects I worked on when I was a district panchayat member,” Mr. Moothedan said, going on to list a set of projects he claimed to have initiated in and around Kuruppampady junction.

Mr. Moothedan was picked by the Congress to retain the Perumbavoor assembly constituency, overlooking sitting legislator Eldhose Kunnappilly. Though Mr. Kunnappilly was reportedly on the verge of a rebellion after being denied another chance to contest — allegedly due to his involvement in an sexual abuse case — he eventually accepted the party decision. Mr. Kunnappilly inaugurated the UDF campaign at Mudikkarai, signaling a message of unity between the two leaders, who have experienced almost simultaneous growth within the party hierarchy. At Mudikkarai, the duo spoke of their decades-long bonhomie.

Mr. Moothedan said he was seeking the people’s mandate to ensure a continuity to the development initiative of Mr. Kunnappilly. Accompanied by UDF workers wearing white tee-shirts bearing his photo, the Congress candidate toured the length and breadth of Kuruppampady and Rayamangalam areas on Tuesday.

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate Basil Paul arrived at Mudakkuzha, an agrarian area just outside Perumbavoor town, by 10.30 am. Mr. Paul too sought to invoke the memories of his tenures as elected representative in Ernakulam district panchayat, Kuruppampady block panchayat and Rayamangalam grama panchayat. A former Congress leader, Mr. Paul became the LDF candidate after recently joining the Kerala Congress (M), a Left ally.

Accorded a reception by LDF supporters who showered petals on him, Mr. Paul sought votes highlighting the development initiatives of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government. The LDF campaign revolves around the infrastructure development in the constituency through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board, while also blaming the incumbent Congress MLA for allegedly failing to address basic issues including traffic snarl in the town. Mr. Paul appeared determined to make use of his experience in local electoral politics, finding it easier to gel with the voters even amid a hectic campaign. His Tuesday itinerary included localities such as Elampakappily, Chundakuzhy, Thrikkeppady and Thuruthy.

At Thodappara, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate Jibi Pathickal was accorded a rousing reception by the supporters of the BJP-led alliance. Mr. Pathickal, a Congress rebel, had a surprise entry to the fray on a Twenty20 ticket after the party’s initial plan to field actor Lakshmipriya fell flat. Mr. Pathickal’s campaign pitch differed from his rival fronts by highlighting law and order issues and public health concerns, particularly relating to the huge migrant worker population in and around Perumbavoor.

Mr. Pathickal restricted his speeches to brief appeals for votes and expression of gratitude, while finding time to interact directly with the voters at campaign spots.