Kerala Assembly polls 2026: UDF rift erupts in Idukki as Kerala Congress rebels over seat takeover

While political parties in Idukki district are campaigning with vigour, an internal rift has developed within the United Democratic Front (UDF). The Kerala Congress, a key UDF ally led by P.J. Joseph, has raised strong opposition over the Congress party’s takeover of the Idukki Assembly constituency seat. Kerala Congress leaders have openly voiced their dissent, stating they are yet to decide whether to participate in the campaign for UDF candidate Roy K. Paulose.

Speaking to the media, the party’s High Power Committee member Thomas Perumana expressed the party workers’ dissatisfaction regarding the seat takeover. “The High Power Committee will convene a meeting within next two or three days to decide whether KC workers should join the UDF campaign in the Idukki constituency,” he said.

A senior Kerala Congress leader alleged that the Congress had been planning to reclaim the seat for several months. “Kerala Congress workers campaigned actively to ensure a Congress victory in the last local body elections, which resulted in a massive win in Idukki. However, after that clean sweep, Congress has tried to sideline us, culminating in the takeover of this seat,” the leader claimed.

The leader further noted that while Kerala Congress Chairman P.J. Joseph stated the seat was handed over to Congress for this term only, there are deep concerns within the party. “We are certain that if Congress wins Idukki now, they will not return the seat to the Kerala Congress in the future. The reality is that the Kerala Congress has effectively lost its Idukki seat” the leader added.

Congress leader Roy K. Paulose emerged as a surprise candidate for the UDF after Congress successfully negotiated the seat away from its ally. Meanwhile, grassroots workers fear that this internal friction between the two parties will negatively impact the UDF’s chances of victory. Water Resources Minister and senior Kerala Congress (M) leader, Roshy Augustine, is the LDF candidate for the constituency.