Even as the LDF tries to seal its line-up in Pathanamthitta, the UDF is still struggling with candidate selection, managing internal rivalries and keeping a few surprises up its sleeve.
Official sources said days of heated discussions and conflicting views within the coalition set the stage for the last-minute drama. While Youth Congress national secretary Abin Varkey, a member of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, is leading the race on the Aranmula ticket, Ramya Haridas is expected to contest from Adoor. In Ranni, KPCC general secretary Pazhakulam Madhu emerged as the front runner for the UDF ticket.
Meanwhile, Konni has seen a shift in options as earlier speculations about MP Adoor Prakash entering the race gave way to the plan in favor of District Congress Committee President Satheesh Kochuparambil. The Thiruvalla seat, which was allotted to the Kerala Congress, is expected to see Varghese Mamman as its candidate.
A Congress leader in the district notes that the process of selecting candidates was not without friction.
“Several party leaders expressed their displeasure during the DCC meetings, especially with regard to the prospect of candidates from outside the district,” he said. With the war of words starting to spread on social media, the leadership warned of tough action against those who spread their views publicly, he added.
Currently, the UDF has no seat in Pathanamthitta, making this election a high-stakes effort to win back all the five constituencies.
On the other hand, the LDF seems to have moved faster and more decisively. In Aranmula and Konni, incumbent CPI(M) legislators Veena George and KU Janish Kumar are expected to return. While Ms. George will seek her third term, Mr. Kumar, who has already won the by-election and the 2021 parliamentary elections, is gearing up for his third battle in Konni.
In Adoor, the CPI pounced on Priji Kannan, whose nomination was sealed at a CPI state executive meeting. In Thiruvalla, veteran Mathew T. Thomas, who has represented the constituency since 2006, is likely to retain his seat with the support of the state unit of the Indian Socialist Janata Dal (ISJD). Meanwhile, in Ranni, Pramod Narayanan will seek a second term as the Kerala Congress (M) candidate.
Published – 10 March 2026 21:25 IST
