KP Prakash Babu, NDA candidate from Beypore, arrives at Kozhikode Collectorate to file his nomination papers on March 23. Photo credit: K. Ragesh
A total of 141 candidates have filed 223 nomination papers in 13 constituencies in Kozhikode for the upcoming assembly elections as the last date for the purpose ended on Monday (March 23).
Campaigning is also gaining momentum in the district with candidates representing the Left Democratic Front (LDF), United Democratic Front (UDF) and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) holding roadshows and political conventions in recent days and meeting prominent people in their respective constituencies.
PK Firos, UDF candidate from Koduvalla files his nomination papers in Kozhikode on March 23. | Photo credit: K. Ragesh
In Koduvally segment, according to official sources, 18 candidates have filed their nomination, which is the most in the district. The lowest number of candidates, seven each, are in Koyilandy, Balussery and Kozhikode South. The highest number of nominations, 22 each, are from Perambra and Koduvalla.
UDF-backed independent candidate from Beypore PV Anvar files his nomination papers in Kozhikode on March 23. Photo credit: K. Ragesh
NCP(SP) Kozhikode District President Mukkom Mohammed and Forest Minister AK Saseendran greeted each other at the Kozhikode District Collectorate who came there on March 23 to file nomination papers for Elathur Assembly constituency. Photo credit: K. Ragesh
Prominent leaders who filed their nomination papers on Monday include Forest Minister AK Saseendran, former MLAs PV Anvar and Parakkal Abdulla, NDA’s KP Prakash Babu and VK Sajeevan and UDF’s PK Firos and Fathima Thahiliya. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on Tuesday (March 24) and March 26 is the last day to download them.
National leaders
Meanwhile, all the major fronts are expected to bring their national leaders to the district in the coming days to support their campaign. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, is scheduled to address a public event at the Kozhikode beach on March 25, where he is expected to make a statement regarding the UDF’s guarantees in the state. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will attend public events in Koyilandy, Beypore, Kunnamangalam and the beach. Other senior national leaders of left-wing parties will also be part of the campaign. The NDA has already brought senior BJP leaders and ministers from other states to Kozhikode to accompany its candidates in filing their nomination papers. More leaders may also visit the district soon.
Controversy
As the campaign gathers pace, controversies are also emerging from various quarters. After Ahammed Devarkovil, the LDF candidate from the Kozhikode South constituency, recently alleged that Ms Thahiliya’s candidature from Perambra was influenced by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, the former hit on Sunday (March 22) and said she would withdraw from the race if the allegations were confirmed. The convenor of the election committee for TP Ramakrishnan, the LDF candidate from Perambra, recently filed a police complaint alleging that a section of Muslim Youth League activists are spreading fake news against him to create communal polarization. Earlier, the district committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) issued a statement protesting the alleged treatment of KP Kunhammad Kutty, LDF candidate from Kuttiyadi, a UDF activist, when he visited a temple in Maniyur during the festival.
Published – 23 March 2026 21:06 IST
