With assembly elections approaching, Kottayam has slipped into full campaign mode, with the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and United Democratic Front (UDF) rallies scheduled to arrive in the district this month.
While the selection of candidates is still a long way off, preparations on the ground are already intense. The CPI(M) and the CPI have completed their house-to-house visits, the UDF has started booth-level mobilization and the BJP has started local programmes, signaling that all the three fronts have gone into election mode.
The LDF Central Regional Assembly, led by Kerala Congress (M) president Jose K. Mani, will enter the district on Saturday as part of its February 7-9 tour. Starting from Aranmula, the procession will be received at Changanassery at 4 pm on February 7, followed by a district-level reception at Kottayam at 5 pm. at 3:00 p.m., Kaduthuruthy at 4:00 p.m., and Vaikom at 5:00 p.m. On the last day, receptions will be held at Pala at 10:00 a.m., Ponkunnam at 11:30 a.m. and Mundakkayam at 3:00 p.m., before the rally proceeds to Idukki district.
UDF’s Puthuyuga Yatra, led by Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan and carrying the slogan ‘New Kerala’, will reach the district on February 24. Receptions are scheduled in all the nine assembly constituencies on February 24 and 25.
After completing the events in Idukki district, the procession will reach Kallepalam on the border of Mundakkayam district at 9 am on February 24, where the district leaders will receive the opposition leaders and the yatra. This will be followed by receptions in Mundakkayam town at 9.30 am for Poonjar constituency, Pala at 10.30 am and Ponkunnam at 11.30 am for Kanjirapally constituency.
The political roadshow will continue in the afternoon with a reception at Changanassery at 3 pm and culminate with a public meeting at Thirunakkara Maidan in Kottayam at 6 pm. from where the procession will head to Alappuzha district.
The BJP, meanwhile, is yet to announce its plans for the rally even as it has stepped up grassroots activities in the district.
Published – 02 Feb 2026 20:17 IST