As the campaign for the Kerala Assembly polls enters its final phase on April 9, new trends in Kozhikode North and Kozhikode South, the city’s two constituencies, point to a palpable shift in political dynamics.
While the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) continues to hold the lead, the contest is shaping up to be an increasingly competitive triangular fight, with the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) making distinct inroads, particularly in Kozhikode North.
Both segments are defined by distinct urban identities and levels of voter apathy. However, they differ in terms of demographic composition and pace of infrastructure development, factors that could influence voting behavior in different ways.
Kozhikode North Congress constituency candidate K. Jayanth met voters. | Photo credit: K. RAGESH
The electoral history of Kozhikode North reflects a pattern of relative stability punctuated by occasional shifts. However, since 2006, the CPI(M) has maintained a strong hold on the seat, starting with A. Pradeep Kumar, who secured consecutive victories. In 2021, the party replaced him with Thottathil Raveendran, a former mayor of Kozhikode, who won comfortably, helped by both his personal popularity and the organizational foundations laid by his predecessor. The LDF has renominated Mr. Raveendran, who relies on continuity.
However, the entry of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary K. Jayanth as the UDF candidate and state Mahila Morcha president and Kozhikode Corporation councilor Navya Haridas as the NDA candidate changed the electoral arithmetic, making the contest more competitive than in previous cycles.
Both the Congress and the BJP are drawing confidence from their performance in last year’s three-phase local body elections. Although the LDF maintained a narrow lead in the Kozhikode Corporation with 15 wards compared to 11 for the UDF and six for the NDA, the opposition sees this as evidence of a closing gap.
While Mr. Raveendran has been at the forefront of development initiatives and governance for the past five years, his challengers are trying to consolidate discontent over perceived gaps in urban infrastructure and governance.
Kozhikode North LDF candidate Thottathil Raveendran interacting with voters. | Photo credit: K. RAGESH
In the case of Congress, the stakes are especially high. The party, which has failed to secure a single MLA from the district for over two decades, has identified Kozhikode North as a key winning constituency, investing heavily in organization and campaigning.
The demographic profile of the constituency, where Hindus make up more than 60% of the electorate (Nairs make up a large share), along with Muslims (around 25%) and Christians (about 15%), is also likely to play a decisive role, especially in a hotly contested contest where vote consolidation could prove critical.
Different dynamics
In Kozhikode South, the dynamics evolved differently but remained just as competitive. Incumbent LDF MLA Ahammad Devarkovil, national general secretary of the Indian National League (INL), is seeking re-election but faces a strong challenge from Indian Muslim League (IUML) candidate VK Faisal Babu, who also serves as the national general secretary of the Muslim Youth League.
UDF candidate for Kozhikode South constituency VK Faisal Babu is seeking votes. | Photo credit: K. RAGESH
As a Muslim-majority constituency with the community constituting more than 60% of the electorate, Kozhikode South is witnessing a more direct bipolar rivalry between the LDF and the UDF.
Kozhikode South LDF candidate Ahammad Devarkovil during the campaign. | Photo credit: K. RAGESH
The outcome is likely to depend on whether the LDF can retain its 2021 support base, especially among segments that have crossed traditional electoral boundaries, or whether the IUML succeeds in consolidating minority votes while cashing in on urban anti-incumbency.
Kozhikode South NDA candidate T. Raneesh is campaigning in the constituency. | Photo credit: K. RAGESH
The NDA, which has fielded BJP Corporation Councilor T. Raneesh, is not a primary contender but can still influence the outcome. The coalition, which secured 20.89% of the vote in the previous election, is expected to improve its performance, which could have an impact on the margin of victory in the tight race.
Published – 31 March 2026 19:21 IST
