The Chathannur constituency in Kollam stands as a microcosm of Kerala’s shifting political currents, where a dramatic recalibration of electoral patterns has shattered the conventional electoral balance.
The electoral template of the assembly segment has undergone a continuous transformation, shedding its history of binary competition in favor of a sharp tripartite rivalry. This development is primarily driven by the rise of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which has succeeded in relegating the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) to a humiliating third place in recent assembly cycles. As the constituency straddles the Thiruvananthapuram district border, its political climate often reflects wider regional shifts towards a three-party system, making it a high-priority seat for the NDA in Kerala.
Established in 1965, the constituency’s electoral history reveals a deep-rooted affinity with left-wing ideology, with the Left Democratic Front (LDF) winning 12 of the 15 elections held since its inception.
The early decades were dominated by Communist Party of India (CPI) stalwarts like P. Ravindran, J. Chittaranjan and N. Anirudhan. While the UDF has made occasional breakthroughs, notably under Congress leaders CV Padmarajan and G. Prathapavarma Thampana, these victories have often been followed by resounding Left comebacks. The most recent era was defined by GS Jayalal, who secured three consecutive terms since 2011.
Rise of BJP
What sets Chathannur apart from other constituencies in Kollam is the meteoric rise of the BJP, represented by BB Gopakumar in the last two elections. Starting as a fringe player, the NDA entered the arena in a big way during 2016, successfully relegating the UDF candidate to the third position. This was not an isolated phenomenon as the BJP further increased its vote share and retained its second position in 2021. The political realignment in Chathannur was underlined when the BJP’s surge pushed Congress incumbents like Sooranad Rajasekharan and Peethambara Kurup to the sidelines of the contest.
For the 2026 battle, the NDA has reposed its faith in BB Gopakumar, who now faces a renewed challenge from CPI’s R Rajendran and Congress’ Sooraj Ravi.
The socio-economic structure of Chathannur is intrinsically linked to the traditional industries of Kerala, with the majority of the electorate dependent on the coir and cashew nut sectors for their livelihoods. The constituency includes Paravur municipality and six neighboring panchayats: Chathannur, Adichanallur, Poothakkulam, Kalluvathukkal, Pooyappally and Chirakkara. The political dominance of the Left is currently reflected in local governance, with the LDF controlling the municipality and four of the six panchayats.
As the constituency heads towards elections, issues such as poor road conditions, drinking water shortages and agricultural issues remain effective campaign tools for the opposition. While the LDF enters the fray confident of recent local body wins, the NDA’s consolidated vote bank poses a persistent threat.
2021
GS Jayalal (CPI) – 59,296
BB Gopakumar (BJP) – 42,090
N. Peethambara Kurup (Congress) – 34,280
2016
GS Jayalal (CPI) – 67,606
BB Gopakumar (BJP) – 33,199
Sooranadu Rajasekharan (Congress) – 30,139
Published – March 30, 2026 12:25 PM IST
