Even as the UDF struggles to untangle its seat-sharing knots in Kottayam, the LDF has been quick to seize the initiative and draw up a tentative list of its candidates in the district.
In the central district of Travancore, where the LDF currently holds five of the nine Assembly seats, the stage is set for an intense contest between the two main fronts as the UDF looks to make a strong comeback, boosted by its performance in the local body elections. However, for the CPI(M)-led coalition, maintaining dominance in Kottayam is crucial to its broader strategy of returning to power again.
Most of the existing LDF legislators, including Cooperation Minister VN Vasavan, are expected to be retained. Still, the focus is now on the Congress, where Kottayam and Puthuppally are based. Sources suggest that CPI(M) state committee member K. Anil Kumar is almost certain to be fielded from Kottayam.
Puthuppally, however, represents a more subtle political calculation. The original preferences were for Reji Zachariah and KM Radhakrishnan. After Reji Zachariah reportedly refused to contest, the name of the party’s regional secretary Subhash P. Varghese was shortlisted. Both Radhakrishnan and Subhash Varghese would be the first candidates for the assembly. In this traditional Congress bastion, now represented by Chandy Oommen, the possibility of supporting an independent candidate is also believed to be under discussion.
The debutant is also likely to be in Kaduthuruthy, where the Kerala Congress (M) is contesting as part of the LDF. Former district panchayat member PM Mathew, Syriac Youth Front leader Chazhikadan, Bright Vattanirappel, Zacharias Kuthiraveli and Jose Puthen Kala are among the names that figured in the internal discussions.
“In Pala, Kerala Congress (M) president Jose K. Mani will again lead the charge. The party is maintaining status quo in its other seats as well. N. Jayaraj is set to contest again from Kanjirapalla, Sebastian Kulathunkal from Poonjar and Job Michael will seek another term from Changanassery,” the LDF leader said.
In Ettumanoor, Mr. Vasavan is expected to re-enter the fray. In Vaikom, CPI leader and sitting MLA CK Asha remains the preferred choice. Only if she backed down would the party consider a new face, with P. Pradeep as an alternative. His name has already been submitted to the state leadership, but the final decision will rest with the State Council.
On the back of a series of policy initiatives, including the decision to implement the JB Koshy Commission report and increase in the support price of natural rubber, the LDF hopes to boost its performance in the district in 2021.
The UDF, on the other hand, is pinning its hopes on the momentum generated by the local body elections held a few months ago, in which it won control of 44 panchayats and six municipalities across the district.
Published – March 3, 2026 7:28 PM IST
