Kerala Assembly polls 2026: Kothamangalam witnesses high-decibel campaign amid murmurs of ‘tough fight’

It was almost like a dress rehearsal for the high-decibel finale of the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) campaign in the Kothamangalam Assembly constituency on Monday (April 6, 2026) morning. Supporters of the Congress-led alliance gathered at the KSRTC bus station by 9 a.m. Maria Oommen, daughter of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and now a sought-after campaigner, arrived by 9.30 a.m., followed shortly by UDF candidate and Kerala Congress leader Shibu Thekkumpuram.

Mr. Thekkumpuram, accompanied by Ms. Oommen, led a roadshow from the KSRTC station to the Municipal Junction, joined by hundreds of women holding flags of the Congress, Kerala Congress, and the Indian Union Muslim League. Thunderous beats, political parodies played at high volume, and sloganeering signalled what the UDF had in store for its campaign finale on Tuesday (April 7, 2026).

Mr. Thekkumpuram, who lost to CPI(M)’s Antony John in 2021, struck a confident note. “I am fully confident. The people of Kothamangalam wish for a change. The constituency has gone through 10 years of developmental paralysis. Even projects initiated during the previous UDF term have been abandoned,” he said. While his supporters expressed confidence of victory, some onlookers termed it a “tough fight”.

Standing atop an open jeep, he said his priorities include completing pending projects such as the Thankalam-Kakkanad four-lane road, the Chelad international stadium, and the Bhoothathankettu hydropower project.

LDF’s Antony John during his election campaign at Kothamangalam.
| Photo Credit:
THULASI KAKKAT

Meanwhile, Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate Antony John, seeking a hat-trick win, met prominent citizens and various groups ahead of a roadshow planned for later in the day.

The CPI(M) leader appeared relaxed while interacting with priests and nuns at Mar Mathew’s Boys Town, an educational institute in Kozhippilly, his hometown. “This is where I attended my catechism classes,” he said.

Away from the campaign noise, Mr. John outlined his record and responded to criticism. He highlighted achievements in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, and pointed to the distribution of title deeds. On human-wildlife conflict, he said preventive steps such as fencing and trenching were taken despite challenges arising from the strict implementation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. “It is for the first time in the constituency that MLA funds have been allotted to the Forest department for the deployment of a Rapid Response Team in affected areas,” he said.

Addressing criticism over delays in the Thankalam–Kakkanad road project, he cited the need for a revised plan in line with Kerala Infrastructure Investment Board standards and questioned the inaction of MLAs from neighbouring constituencies along the route.

NDA’s Aji Narayanan meeting voters.
| Photo Credit:
THULASI KAKKAT

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate Aji Narayanan, meanwhile, was in Varappetty on the final leg of his vehicle campaign. Addressing BJP-led front supporters, the BDJS leader flagged issues such as potable water shortages, lack of sports facilities for youth, and persistent traffic snarls.

He criticised the location chosen for a public crematorium. “The crematorium is being built next to a dumping yard. I am not willing to take the remains of my parents there. I would rather donate the bodies to a government medical college,” Mr. Narayanan said.