A political controversy erupted in Kerala on Saturday (May 23) after the newly elected UDF government appointed State Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar as Secretary to Chief Minister V D Satheesan.&nbsp;According to the government order, “Dr Rathan U Kelkar, IAS (KL 2003), Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala &amp; Secretary, Election Department, is transferred and posted as Secretary to the Chief Minister.”&nbsp;The appointment triggered sharp criticism from the BJP, which accused the Congress of hypocrisy and linked the move to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s earlier remarks on the independence of the Election Commission.&nbsp;The BJP pointed out that Rahul Gandhi had earlier criticised the appointment of West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal as Chief Secretary under the BJP government.&nbsp;Kerala BJP, in a Facebook post, said, “Ratan Kelkar, the former Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala, has been appointed as the Secretary to Chief Minister VD Satheesan. According to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's logic, Ratan Kelkar's appointment is to be seen as a reward for the huge victory achieved by the Congress in Kerala. The Congress should stop this kind of politics that is misleading the people.”&nbsp;BJP leader Amit Malviya also attacked the Congress over the appointment and accused Rahul Gandhi of selective criticism.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-there-is-chance-iran-will-accept-a-deal-to-end-war-as-soon-as-today-says-marco-rubio-1779546574416">‘There is chance Iran will accept a deal to end war as soon as today,’ says Marco Rubio</a>&nbsp;“Rahul Gandhi's selective outrage stands exposed yet again,” Malviya wrote on X.He further said, “Now compare that with Congress-ruled Kerala. Ratan U Kelkar, a 2003-batch Kerala cadre IAS officer who is not even the senior-most officer in the state, is being appointed Secretary to Chief Minister V D Satheean while continuing as Kerala's Chief Electoral Officer, a position that demands institutional neutrality and independence.”&nbsp;The controversy comes days after the Congress-led UDF registered a massive victory in the Kerala Assembly elections by winning 102 seats, with Congress alone securing 63 seats.

The BJP cited Rahul Gandhi’s earlier criticism of the BJP government in West Bengal over the appointment of then Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal as Chief Secretary, and accused the Congress of adopting double standards in Kerala

A political controversy erupted in Kerala on Saturday (May 23) after the newly elected UDF government appointed State Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar as Secretary to Chief Minister V D Satheesan. According to the government order, “Dr Rathan U Kelkar, IAS (KL 2003), Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala & Secretary, Election Department, is transferred and posted as Secretary to the Chief Minister.” The appointment triggered sharp criticism from the BJP, which accused the Congress of hypocrisy and linked the move to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s earlier remarks on the independence of the Election Commission. The BJP pointed out that Rahul Gandhi had earlier criticised the appointment of West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal as Chief Secretary under the BJP government. Kerala BJP, in a Facebook post, said, “Ratan Kelkar, the former Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala, has been appointed as the Secretary to Chief Minister VD Satheesan. According to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's logic, Ratan Kelkar's appointment is to be seen as a reward for the huge victory achieved by the Congress in Kerala. The Congress should stop this kind of politics that is misleading the people.” BJP leader Amit Malviya also attacked the Congress over the appointment and accused Rahul Gandhi of selective criticism. Also Read: ‘There is chance Iran will accept a deal to end war as soon as today,’ says Marco Rubio “Rahul Gandhi's selective outrage stands exposed yet again,” Malviya wrote on X. He further said, “Now compare that with Congress-ruled Kerala. Ratan U Kelkar, a 2003-batch Kerala cadre IAS officer who is not even the senior-most officer in the state, is being appointed Secretary to Chief Minister V D Satheean while continuing as Kerala's Chief Electoral Officer, a position that demands institutional neutrality and independence.” The controversy comes days after the Congress-led UDF registered a massive victory in the Kerala Assembly elections by winning 102 seats, with Congress alone securing 63 seats.

The BJP cited Rahul Gandhi’s earlier criticism of the BJP government in West Bengal over the appointment of then Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal as Chief Secretary, and accused the Congress of adopting double standards in Kerala

Kerala Chief Electoral Officer named CM secretary; BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of hypocrisy

From New York to Islamabad, several international publications reported the results of India's assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory, focusing primarily on the landslide victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal, ending the 15-year stronghold of Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee in the state. In addition, publications also gave prominent space to Tamil superstar Joseph Vijay, who launched the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party only two years ago, and ousted the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party led by MK Stalin.<h3>The Guardian</h3>British daily publication, The Guardian, gave focus on Bengal results, noting that the state had been a rare stronghold of opposition, unrivalled in the BJP's consolidation of power across the country. The article in the media outlet, titled "Narendra Modi's BJP wins election in West Bengal for the first time", noted that the West Bengal assembly election results "will have significant implications for India's political landscape and deal another demoralising blow to the already weakened opposition".<h3>BBC</h3>The other prominent British outlet, the BBC, focused its coverage on the control of the BJP against the opposition stronghold in West Bengal. In an article titled 'Modi's BJP conquers Bengal, one of India's toughest political frontiers', claimed that the landslide victory of the BJP in the eastern state "would rank among the most significant breakthroughs of Modi's 12-year reign." "It is not merely the defeat of a three-term incumbent but the completion of the party's long march into eastern India," the article said.<h3>The New York Times</h3>In a report titled "Modi's Hindu Nationalists Conquer a Bastion of India's Opposition," the New York Times described the BJP's success in West Bengal as "historic." The publication noted that Prime Minister Modi's party achieved a major milestone in its long-term efforts to reshape India by winning in a highly populous state where it previously had no chance of governing. The report also underscored the unexpected performance of actor Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar in Tamil Nadu, noting his new party outperformed the state's established political giants. "One of the biggest surprises of the day was in Tamil Nadu, where the party of a political novice, the actor Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, did better than either of the established parties in the state," the report read.<h3>Pakistan</h3>In Pakistan, the Dawn carried the AFP report on the elections, which said PM Modi's "nationalist party" swept to victory in key elections in "opposition-held West Bengal state, conquering a bastion long held by its adversary". The report suggested that the results should put pm Modi on "a stronger footing while he battles a series of economic and foreign policy challenges, including high unemployment rates and a pending US trade deal, ahead of a general election in 2029."<h3>Bangladesh</h3>The Dhaka Tribune also utilised the AFP coverage, focusing on the electoral upset in Tamil Nadu. The report detailed the defeat of Chief Minister MK Stalin by a little-known opponent and noted that the ruling DMK finished far behind the debutant party led by actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-sweeps-west-bengal-wins-206-seats-to-breach-trinamool-s-15-year-dominance-1777926543565">BJP sweeps West Bengal, wins 206 seats to breach Trinamool’s citadel, end its 15-year dominance</a>&nbsp;

Global media highlights a historic shift as the BJP conquers Bengal, ending Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year rule. Simultaneously, actor Vijay’s TVK stunned the world by ousting the DMK in Tamil Nadu, disrupting decades of Dravidian dominance. Check what other publications said about the results.

From New York to Islamabad, several international publications reported the results of India's assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory, focusing primarily on the landslide victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal, ending the 15-year stronghold of Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee in the state. In addition, publications also gave prominent space to Tamil superstar Joseph Vijay, who launched the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party only two years ago, and ousted the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party led by MK Stalin. The Guardian British daily publication, The Guardian, gave focus on Bengal results, noting that the state had been a rare stronghold of opposition, unrivalled in the BJP's consolidation of power across the country. The article in the media outlet, titled "Narendra Modi's BJP wins election in West Bengal for the first time", noted that the West Bengal assembly election results "will have significant implications for India's political landscape and deal another demoralising blow to the already weakened opposition". BBC The other prominent British outlet, the BBC, focused its coverage on the control of the BJP against the opposition stronghold in West Bengal. In an article titled 'Modi's BJP conquers Bengal, one of India's toughest political frontiers', claimed that the landslide victory of the BJP in the eastern state "would rank among the most significant breakthroughs of Modi's 12-year reign." "It is not merely the defeat of a three-term incumbent but the completion of the party's long march into eastern India," the article said. The New York Times In a report titled "Modi's Hindu Nationalists Conquer a Bastion of India's Opposition," the New York Times described the BJP's success in West Bengal as "historic." The publication noted that Prime Minister Modi's party achieved a major milestone in its long-term efforts to reshape India by winning in a highly populous state where it previously had no chance of governing. The report also underscored the unexpected performance of actor Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar in Tamil Nadu, noting his new party outperformed the state's established political giants. "One of the biggest surprises of the day was in Tamil Nadu, where the party of a political novice, the actor Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, did better than either of the established parties in the state," the report read. Pakistan In Pakistan, the Dawn carried the AFP report on the elections, which said PM Modi's "nationalist party" swept to victory in key elections in "opposition-held West Bengal state, conquering a bastion long held by its adversary". The report suggested that the results should put pm Modi on "a stronger footing while he battles a series of economic and foreign policy challenges, including high unemployment rates and a pending US trade deal, ahead of a general election in 2029." Bangladesh The Dhaka Tribune also utilised the AFP coverage, focusing on the electoral upset in Tamil Nadu. The report detailed the defeat of Chief Minister MK Stalin by a little-known opponent and noted that the ruling DMK finished far behind the debutant party led by actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay. Also read: BJP sweeps West Bengal, wins 206 seats to breach Trinamool’s citadel, end its 15-year dominance

Global media highlights a historic shift as the BJP conquers Bengal, ending Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year rule. Simultaneously, actor Vijay’s TVK stunned the world by ousting the DMK in Tamil Nadu, disrupting decades of Dravidian dominance. Check what other publications said about the results.

From New York to Islamabad: How global media reported PM Modi's victory in Bengal against Mamata Banerjee

Kerala Election Results 2026: After 10 years in opposition, Congress-led UDF has stormed back to power with a decisive mandate, crushing the Left and reshaping the state’s political map in one of its clearest electoral resets in years. Scroll down.

Kerala has delivered a decisive political reset. ON Monday (May 4)After a decade out of power, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) swept back into government, comfortably crossing the majority mark in the 140-member Assembly and handing the Left Democratic Front one of its clearest defeats in recent years. The numbers now leave little room for ambiguity. The Indian National Congress has won 63 seats, emerging as the single largest party in Kerala. Its key ally, the Indian Union Muslim League, has secured 22 seats, giving the UDF a commanding combined majority. Final Kerala tally snapshot Congress: 63 IUML: 22 CPI(M): 26 CPI: 8 BJP: 3 Also read | BIG WINNERS Kerala, Assam, W Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry: Who won, who lost LDF trailing as anti-incumbency bites The ruling Left Democratic Front, led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), has been pushed well behind. CPI(M) finished with 26 seats, while the Communist Party of India managed 8. For Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s alliance, this result signals that anti-incumbency, governance fatigue and constituency-level dissatisfaction appear to have outweighed the Left’s organisational strength. Wayanad emerges as Congress fortress One of the sharpest symbolic victories came from Wayanad, where the UDF swept all seven Assembly seats, reinforcing the Congress alliance’s grip on one of Kerala’s most politically watched districts. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called it a “resounding mandate,” framing the victory as both statewide trust and regional reaffirmation. Also read | Midnight terror in Bihar: Part of Vikramshila Setu plunges into Ganges | Watch Key battlegrounds These 20 constituencies are Kerala’s real pressure points, where leadership battles, BJP expansion attempts, Congress resurgence hopes, and the Left’s governance test collided at once. Constituency Region Type Main Faces Why It Matters Vattiyoorkavu Urban, Thiruvananthapuram VK Prasanth (LDF) vs K Muraleedharan (UDF) vs R Sreelekha (BJP) Congress prestige battle, BJP urban push, infrastructure-heavy seat Kazhakkoottam IT corridor, Urban Kadakampally Surendran (LDF) vs S Suresh Kumar (UDF) vs V Muraleedharan (BJP) Technopark belt, middle-class swing, BJP national face Nemom Suburban battleground V Sivankutty (LDF) vs KS Sabarinadhan (UDF) vs Rajeev Chandrasekhar (BJP) One of Kerala’s biggest prestige fights, BJP’s high-stakes test Paravur Coastal + Suburban VD Satheesan (UDF) vs ET Tyson (LDF) Opposition leader’s home turf, leadership barometer Aranmula Temple + Agrarian Veena George (LDF) vs K Sivadasan Nair (UDF) vs Kummanam Rajasekharan (BJP) Ministerial prestige, BJP symbolic challenge Puthuppally Legacy Congress seat Chandy Oommen (UDF) vs Jaick C Thomas (LDF) Oommen Chandy legacy, emotional Congress stronghold Konni Plantation + Forest KU Jenish Kumar (LDF) vs Satheesh Kochuparambil (UDF) Sabarimala pressure, rural volatility Alappuzha Coastal Backwater PP Chitharanjan (LDF) vs AA Shukoor (UDF) Fishing economy, tourism and coastal distress Haripad Rural-Coastal Ramesh Chennithala (UDF) vs TT Jismon (LDF) Senior Congress face, prestige contest Tanur Coastal Malappuram PK Navas (IUML-UDF) vs Muhammed Sameer (LDF) Narrow margins, Muslim League influence Muvattupuzha Semi-urban Mathew Kuzhalnadan (UDF) vs N Arun (LDF) Anti-govt campaign face, middle Kerala pulse Thripunithura Urban Heritage Deepak Joy (UDF) vs Unnikrishnan KN (LDF) Kochi suburban swing, close-fight history Thrissur Cultural capital Rajan J Pallan (UDF) vs Alankode Leelakrishnan (LDF) vs Padmaja Venugopal (BJP) BJP growth test after Lok Sabha gains Irinjalakuda Rural-Urban Mix R Bindu (LDF) vs Thomas Unniyadan (UDF) Ministerial seat, education + agrarian balance Chalakudy Fragmented battleground Saneeshkumar Joseph (UDF) vs Biju S Chirayath (LDF) Tight margins, multi-cornered pressure Palakkad Urban swing Ramesh Pisharody (UDF) vs Sobha Surendran (BJP) vs NMR Razaq (LDF-backed) Three-way war, BJP expansion zone Perinthalmanna Malappuram urban Najeeb Kanthapuram (IUML-UDF) vs KP Mujeeb (LDF) IUML stronghold under pressure Kozhikode North Urban Triangle Thottathil Raveendran (LDF) vs K Jayanth (UDF) vs Navya Haridas (BJP) BJP rise in North Kerala Manjeshwaram Border seat AKM Ashraf (IUML-UDF) vs K Surendran (BJP) Razor-thin margins, communal and linguistic sensitivity Dharmadom CM’s seat Pinarayi Vijayan (LDF) vs VP Abdul Rasheed (UDF) Chief Minister’s political legitimacy test Kerala Election Results 2026: Full List of constituency-wise winners Constituency No. Leading Candidate Leading Party Trailing Candidate Trailing Party Margin ADOOR 115 ADV. C V SANTHAKUMAR INC PRIJI KANNAN CPI 10332 ALAPPUZHA 104 A.D THOMAS INC P.P.CHITHARANJAN CPI(M) 21015 ALATHUR 60 T M SASI CPI(M) K M FEBIN INC 8553 ALUVA 76 ANWAR SADATH INC ADV. A.M.ARIFF CPI(M) 29143 AMBALAPPUZHA 105 G.SUDHAKARAN IND H. SALAM CPI(M) 27935 ANGAMALY 75 ROJI M JOHN INC SAJU PAUL CPI(M) 37008 ARANMULA 113 ABIN VARKEY KODIYATTU INC VEENA GEORGE CPI(M) 18985 AROOR 102 ADV. SHANIMOL OSMAN INC DALEEMA CPI(M) 9324 ARUVIKKARA 136 ADV. G. STEEPHEN CPI(M) V. S. SIVAKUMAR INC 2843 ATTINGAL 128 O.S AMBIKA CPI(M) ADV. P SUDHEER BJP 13375 AZHIKODE 10 K. V. SUMESH CPI(M) ADV. KAREEM CHELERI IUML 349 BALUSSERI 25 V.T. SOORAJ INC ADV. K.M. SACHINDEV CPI(M) 16980 BEYPORE 29 P.A MOHAMED RIYAS CPI(M) P V ANVAR IND 7487 CHADAYAMANGALAM 122 M. M. NASEER INC J. CHINCHURANI CPI 7486 CHALAKUDY 72 SANEESHKUMAR JOSEPH INC ADV. BIJU S CHIRAYATH KC(M) 23156 CHANGANASSERY 99 VINU JOB KUZHIMANNIL KC ADV. JOB MAICHIL KC(M) 8368 CHATHANNOOR 126 B.B.GOPAKUMAR BJP ADV.R.RAJENDRAN CPI 4398 CHAVARA 117 SHIBU BABY JOHN RSP DR.SUJITH VIJAYANPILLAI IND 18573 CHELAKKARA 61 U R PRADEEP CPI(M) SIVADASAN IND 29386 CHENGANNUR 110 SAJI CHERIAN CPI(M) ADV. ABI KURIAKOSE INC 10292 CHERTHALA 103 P. PRASAD CPI K.R. RAJENDRA PRASAD INC 14489 CHIRAYINKEEZHU 129 RAMYA HARIDAS INC MANOJ EDAMANA CPI 1422 CHITTUR 58 ADV. SUMESH ACHUTHAN INC ADV. V. MURUGADAS ISJD 6510 DEVIKULAM 88 F. RAJA INC ADV. A. RAJA CPI(M) 5233 DHARMADAM 12 PINARAYI VIJAYAN CPI(M) ADV. V.P ABDUL RASHEED INC 19247 ELATHUR 26 ADV.VIDYA BALAKRISHNAN INC A.K.SASEENDRAN NCP-SP 12162 ERANAKULAM 82 T.J VINOD INC SABU GEORGE IND 36163 ERAVIPURAM 125 ADV.VISHNU MOHAN RSP M.NOUSHAD CPI(M) 8803 ERNAD 34 P.K.BASHEER IUML ADV.SHAFEER KIZHISSERI CPI 41289 ETTUMANOOR 96 NATTAKOM SURESH INC V. N. VASAVAN CPI(M) 19752 GURUVAYOOR 63 N. K. AKBAR CPI(M) C. H. RASHEED IUML 1998 HARIPAD 107 RAMESH CHENNITHALA INC T.T.JISMON CPI 23377 IDUKKI 91 ROY K PAULOSE INC ROSHY AUGUSTINE KC(M) 23822 IRIKKUR 9 ADV. SAJEEV JOSEPH INC ADV. MATHEW KUNNAPPALLY KC(M) 42426 IRINJALAKUDA 70 ADV. THOMAS UNNIYADAN KC DR.R.BINDU CPI(M) 10212 KADUTHURUTHY 94 ADV.MONS JOSEPH KC NIRMALA JIMMY KC(M) 31300 KAIPAMANGALAM 69 K.K. VALSARAJ CPI T.M. NAZAR INC 9944 KALAMASSERY 77 ADV. V E ABDUL GAFOOR IUML P RAJEEVE CPI(M) 16312 KALLIASSERI 7 M.VIJIN CPI(M) ADV. RAJEEVAN KAPPACHERI INC 18433 KALPETTA 19 ADV. T SIDDIQUE INC P K ANIL KUMAR RJD 45031 KANHANGAD 4 ADV. GOVINDAN CPI SHAIJI OTTAPALLI KC 15316 KANJIRAPPALLY 100 RONY K BABY INC DR. N. JAYARAJ KC(M) 5772 KANNUR 11 ADV.T.O. MOHANAN INC RAMACHANDRAN K. C(S) 18551 KARUNAGAPPALLY 116 C.R. MAHESH INC ADV.M.S. THARA CPI 26618 KASARAGOD 2 KALLATRA MAHIN IUML ASHWINI M L BJP 22698 KATTAKKADA 138 M. R. BAIJU INC ADV. I. B. SATHEESH CPI(M) 7136 KAYAMKULAM 108 ADV.M.LIJU INC ADV.U.PRATHIBHA CPI(M) 15572 KAZHAKOOTTAM 132 V. MURALEEDHARAN BJP KADAKAMPALLY SURENDRAN CPI(M) 428 KOCHI 80 MOHAMMED SHIYAS INC K.J. MAXY CPI(M) 8188 KODUNGALLUR 73 ADV. O J JANEESH INC ADV. V R SUNIL KUMAR CPI 8308 KODUVALLY 31 P K FIROS IUML SALEEM MADAVOOR IND 36682 KOLLAM 124 ADV. BINDHU KRISHNA INC S. JAYAMOHAN CPI(M) 16830 KONDOTTY 33 T.P. ASHRAFALI IUML DR. P. JIJI CPI(M) 56017 KONGAD 53 THULASI TEACHER INC ADV. K.SANTHAKUMARI CPI(M) 3706 KONNI 114 ADV K U JENISH KUMAR CPI(M) PROF SATHEESH INC 1838 KOTHAMANGALAM 87 SHIBU THECKUMPURAM KC ANTONY JOHN CPI(M) 16859 KOTTAKKAL 46 PROF. ABID HUSSAIN IUML PREETHI KONCHATH CPI(M) 62638 KOTTARAKKARA 119 K.N. BALAGOPAL CPI(M) ADV.P. AISHA POTTY INC 1012 KOTTAYAM 97 THIRUVANCHOOR R. INC ADV.K. ANILKUMAR CPI(M) 35986 KOVALAM 139 ADV. M.VINCENT INC BHAGATH RUFUS IND 32709 KOZHIKODE N. 27 ADV.K JAYANTH INC THOTTATHIL RAVINDRAN CPI(M) 1483 KOZHIKODE S. 28 ADV. FYZAL BABU IUML AHAMMAD DEVARKOVIL INL 10795 KUNDARA 123 P. C. VISHNUNADH INC S. L. SAJIKUMAR CPI(M) 32564 KUNNAMANGALAM 30 M.A. RAZAK MASTER IUML ADV. P T A RAHIM IND 13313 KUNNAMKULAM 62 A C MOIDEEN CPI(M) P T AJAY MOHAN INC 4563 KUNNATHUNAD 84 V. P. SAJEENDRAN INC ADV. P. V. SREENIJIN CPI(M) 21283 KUNNATHUR 118 ULLAS KOVUR RSP KOVOOR KUNJUMON KRSP(L) 25314 KUTHUPARAMBA 14 P K PRAVEEN RJD JAYANTHI RAJAN IUML 1286 KUTTANAD 106 REJI CHERIYAN KC THOMAS K. THOMAS NCP-SP 20600 KUTTIADI 21 PARAKKAL ABDULLA IUML K. P. KUNHAMMEDKUTTY CPI(M) 10922 MALAMPUZHA 55 A PRABHAKARAN CPI(M) C KRISHNAKUMAR BJP 19721 MALAPPURAM 40 P.K KUNHALIKUTTY IUML K.T. MUJEEB RAHMAN NCP-SP 85327 MANALUR 64 PROF C RAVINDRANATH CPI(M) T N PRATHAPAN INC 126 MANANTHAVADY 17 USHA VIJAYAN INC O R KELU CPI(M) 10543 MANJERI 37 ADV. M. RAHMATHULLA IUML V.M. MUSTHAFA IND 57887 MANJESHWAR 1 A K M ASHRAF IUML K SURENDRAN BJP 29252 MANKADA 39 MANJALAMKUZHI ALI IUML KUNNATH MOHAMED IND 45609 MANNARKKAD 54 ADV. N. SAMSUDHEEN IUML MANZIL ABOOBACKER CPI 25903 MATTANNUR 15 V K SANOJ CPI(M) CHANDRAN THILLANKERI INC 14168 MAVELIKKARA 109 M.S. ARUN KUMAR CPI(M) ADV. MUTHARA RAJ INC 15736 MUVATTUPUZHA 86 DR. MATHEW K. INC N ARUN CPI 42829 NADAPURAM 22 K.M. ABHIJITH INC ADV.P. VASANTHAM CPI 23600 NATTIKA 68 GEETHAGOPI CPI ADV. SUNIL LALOOR INC 7093 NEDUMANGAD 130 G R ANIL CPI MEENANKAL KUMAR INC 21583 NEMMARA 59 K PREMAN CPI(M) A. THANKAPPAN INC 3305 NEMOM 135 RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR BJP V SIVANKUTTY CPI(M) 4978 NEYYATTINKARA 140 N. SHAKTHAN INC K. ANSALAN CPI(M) 6966 NILAMBUR 35 ARYADAN SHOUKATH INC U SHARAFALI IND 54851 OLLUR 66 K RAJAN CPI ADV. SHAJI J K. INC 8884 OTTAPPALAM 52 ADV. K. PREMKUMAR CPI(M) P.K SASI IND 26777 PALA 93 MANI C KAPPEN IND JOSE K MANI KC(M) 2991 PALAKKAD 56 RAMESH PISHARODY INC SOBHA SURENDRAN BJP 13147 PARASSALA 137 C K HAREENDRAN CPI(M) NEYYATTINKARA SANAL INC 15013 PARAVUR 78 ADV.V.D.SATHEESAN INC E.T.TAISON MASTER CPI 20600 PATHANAPURAM 120 JYOTHI KUMAR C. INC K B GANESH KUMAR KC(B) 8310 PATTAMBI 50 MUHAMMED MUHASSIN CPI T. P. SHAJI INC 9442 PAYYANNUR 6 V. KUNHIKRISHNAN IND T. I. MADHUSOODANAN CPI(M) 7487 PEERUMADE 92 ADV.CYRIAC THOMAS INC K SALIMKUMAR CPI 27634 PERAMBRA 24 ADV. FATHIMA T. IUML T. P. RAMAKRISHNAN CPI(M) 5087 PERAVOOR 16 ADV. SUNNY JOSEPH INC K K SHAILAJA CPI(M) 14453 PERINTHALMANNA 38 NAJEEB KANTHAPURAM IUML V.P MOHAMMED HANEEFA CPI(M) 32431 PERUMBAVOOR 74 MANOJ MOOTHEDAN INC BASIL PAUL KC(M) 28434 PIRAVOM 85 ANOOP JACOB KC(J) SABU K JACOB KC(M) 44681 PONNANI 48 K.P NOUSHAD ALI INC ADV.M.K SAKKEER CPI(M) 13267 POONJAR 101 ADV.SEBASTIAN M.J INC ADV. SEBASTIAN K. KC(M) 6693 PUDUKKAD 71 K K RAMACHANDRAN CPI(M) K M BABURAJAN INC 2853 PUNALUR 121 C. AJAYAPRASAD CPI NOUSHAD YOUNUS IUML 21529 PUTHUPPALLY 98 ADV. CHANDY OOMMEN INC K. M. RADHAKRISHNAN CPI(M) 52907 QUILANDY 23 ADV. K. PRAVEEN K. INC K. DASAN CPI(M) 12070 RANNI 112 ADV. PAZHAKULAM M. INC ADV. PRAMOD NARAYAN KC(M) 4344 SHORNUR 51 P.MAMMIKUTTY CPI(M) P.HARIGOVINDAN INC 16517 SULTHANBATHERY 18 I C BALAKRISHNAN INC M S VISWANATHAN CPI(M) 16597 TALIPARAMBA 8 T K GOVINDAN IND P K SHYAMALA CPI(M) 12551 TANUR 44 P K NAVAS IUML MOHAMED SAMEER IND 27131 TARUR 57 SUMOD CPI(M) SUBRAMANIAN K C INC 11910 THALASSERY 13 KARAYI RAJAN CPI(M) SAJU K P INC 20523 THAVANUR 47 ADV. V S JOY INC DR. K T JALEEL IND 14647 THIRUVALLA 111 ADV.VARGHESE MAMMEN KC ANOOP ANTONY BJP 10146 THIRUVAMBADI 32 C K KASIM IUML LINTO JOSEPH CPI(M) 6741 THIRUVANAN. 134 C P JOHN CMP SUDHIR KARAMANA IND 9863 THODUPUZHA 90 APU JOHN JOSEPH KC CYRIAC CHAZHIKADAN KC(M) 44291 THRIKKAKARA 83 UMA THOMAS INC ADV. PUSHPA DAS CPI(M) 50211 THRIPUNITHURA 81 DEEPAK JOY INC K N UNNIKRISHNAN CPI(M) 18468 THRISSUR 67 RAJAN. J. PALLAN INC ALANKODE LEELA. CPI 26803 THRITHALA 49 V T BALRAM INC M B RAJESH CPI(M) 8385 TIRUR 45 KURUKKOLI MOIDEEN IUML V.ABDURAHIMAN CPI(M) 24137 TIRURANGADI 43 P M A SAMEER IUML AJITH KOLADI CPI 63387 TRIKARIPUR 5 SANDEEP VARIER INC DR. V P P MUSTAFA CPI(M) 4431 UDMA 3 NEELAKANDAN INC C H KUNHAMBU CPI(M) 4847 UDUMBANCHOLA 89 ADV. SENAPATHY VENU INC K.K. JAYACHANDRAN CPI(M) 20021 VADAKARA 20 K K REMA RMPI M K BHASKARAN RJD 14862 VAIKOM 95 K BINIMON INC P PRADEEP CPI 1360 VALLIKUNNU 42 T V IBRAHIM IUML ADV. MUSTHAFA IND 51289 VAMANAPURAM 131 MUHAMMED SUDHEER. INC MURALEEDHARAN NAIR CPI(M) 12185 VARKALA 127 ADV.V JOY CPI(M) VARKALA KAHAR INC 2050 VATTIYOORKAVU 133 K. MURALEEDHARAN INC ADV. V.K PRASANTH CPI(M) 5425 VENGARA 41 K.M. SHAJI IUML SABAH KUNDUPUZHAKKAL IND 30325 VYPEN 79 TONY CHAMMANY INC ADV. M. B. SHYNI CPI(M) 15648 WADAKKANCHERY 65 XAVIER CHITTILAPPILLY CPI(M) P.N. VAISAKH INC 5690 WANDOOR 36 A.P ANILKUMAR INC DR.K.K DAMODARAN CPI(M) 47939

Kerala Election Results 2026: After 10 years in opposition, Congress-led UDF has stormed back to power with a decisive mandate, crushing the Left and reshaping the state’s political map in one of its clearest electoral resets in years. Scroll down.

Kerala Election Results 2026: Full List of constituency-wise winners; Congress-led UDF storms back to power after 10 years!

The suburban constituency of Nemom, on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, has once again emerged as a focal point of national political attention as Kerala heads towards the 2026 Assembly elections. Described by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as its “gateway to Kerala”, Nemom is being closely watched for signals of a potential political shift in a state traditionally dominated by the Left and the Congress-led fronts.&nbsp;Nemom’s political prominence predates the BJP’s rise in the state. Historians note that the constituency has long been considered prestigious, owing to both its geography and cultural legacy. It historically connected the former royal capital of Padmanabhapuram with modern-day Thiruvananthapuram following the reorganisation of states in 1956.&nbsp;Culturally, Nemom also played a role in Kerala’s cinematic history, hosting Merryland Studio, one of the early pillars of the Malayalam film industry.Electorally, the constituency has seen shifting allegiances over decades. The undivided Communist Party of India won here in 1957, during Kerala’s first elected government, but the seat subsequently oscillated between Left parties and the Congress or its allies. Prominent leaders such as P Vishwambaran and S Varadarajan Nair used Nemom as a launchpad for their political careers.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/west-bengal-elections-data-shows-95-of-voters-removed-in-nandigram-sir-are-muslims-1775525279467">West Bengal polls: Data shows 95% of voters removed in Nandigram SIR are Muslims</a><h2>BJP’s breakthrough and the ‘gateway’ tag</h2>The BJP remained a marginal player in Nemom until the early 2000s, when its vote share began to rise. The turning point came in 2016, when O Rajagopal secured a historic victory, becoming the BJP’s first-ever MLA in Kerala. The win was symbolically significant enough for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party’s national leadership to describe Nemom as its entry point into the state.&nbsp;However, the BJP’s hold proved fragile. In 2021, V Sivankutty of the CPI(M) reclaimed the seat for the Left Democratic Front (LDF), defeating BJP candidate Kummanam Rajasekharan, while Congress leader K Muraleedharan finished third.<h2>Why Nemom matters now</h2>Despite the BJP losing the seat in 2021, recent electoral trends suggest it continues to be a stronghold for the party within Kerala. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Rajeev Chandrasekhar secured a lead of over 22,000 votes in the Nemom segment, despite narrowly losing the Thiruvananthapuram seat to Shashi Tharoor.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-west-bengal-voter-deletion-tribunal-assembly-election-2026-1775541778899">SC denies interim relief 25 lakh deleted voters in WB wait for the tribunal</a>&nbsp;Earlier, in 2019, the BJP had also led in the segment when Kummanam Rajasekharan contested the parliamentary polls. The party further consolidated its position in the 2025 local body elections, winning 18 out of 24 wards in the constituency. These consistent performances have led party leaders to draw parallels between Nemom and Gujarat, suggesting it could serve as a springboard for a broader expansion in Kerala.<h2>The ‘Gujarat of Kerala’?</h2>The phrase “Gujarat of Kerala” reflects the BJP’s ambition to replicate in Nemom what Gujarat has historically been for the party, a stronghold that anchors wider political expansion. While the comparison remains aspirational, Nemom’s evolving electoral patterns suggest it is one of the few constituencies in Kerala where the BJP has managed to establish a sustained presence.&nbsp;

Nemom, a strategic suburban constituency, is the BJP's "gateway to Kerala." Despite 2021 losses, strong local and parliamentary leads have led the party to label it the "Gujarat of Kerala."

The suburban constituency of Nemom, on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, has once again emerged as a focal point of national political attention as Kerala heads towards the 2026 Assembly elections. Described by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as its “gateway to Kerala”, Nemom is being closely watched for signals of a potential political shift in a state traditionally dominated by the Left and the Congress-led fronts. Nemom’s political prominence predates the BJP’s rise in the state. Historians note that the constituency has long been considered prestigious, owing to both its geography and cultural legacy. It historically connected the former royal capital of Padmanabhapuram with modern-day Thiruvananthapuram following the reorganisation of states in 1956. Culturally, Nemom also played a role in Kerala’s cinematic history, hosting Merryland Studio, one of the early pillars of the Malayalam film industry. Electorally, the constituency has seen shifting allegiances over decades. The undivided Communist Party of India won here in 1957, during Kerala’s first elected government, but the seat subsequently oscillated between Left parties and the Congress or its allies. Prominent leaders such as P Vishwambaran and S Varadarajan Nair used Nemom as a launchpad for their political careers. Also read: West Bengal polls: Data shows 95% of voters removed in Nandigram SIR are Muslims BJP’s breakthrough and the ‘gateway’ tag The BJP remained a marginal player in Nemom until the early 2000s, when its vote share began to rise. The turning point came in 2016, when O Rajagopal secured a historic victory, becoming the BJP’s first-ever MLA in Kerala. The win was symbolically significant enough for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party’s national leadership to describe Nemom as its entry point into the state. However, the BJP’s hold proved fragile. In 2021, V Sivankutty of the CPI(M) reclaimed the seat for the Left Democratic Front (LDF), defeating BJP candidate Kummanam Rajasekharan, while Congress leader K Muraleedharan finished third. Why Nemom matters now Despite the BJP losing the seat in 2021, recent electoral trends suggest it continues to be a stronghold for the party within Kerala. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Rajeev Chandrasekhar secured a lead of over 22,000 votes in the Nemom segment, despite narrowly losing the Thiruvananthapuram seat to Shashi Tharoor. Also read: SC denies interim relief 25 lakh deleted voters in WB wait for the tribunal Earlier, in 2019, the BJP had also led in the segment when Kummanam Rajasekharan contested the parliamentary polls. The party further consolidated its position in the 2025 local body elections, winning 18 out of 24 wards in the constituency. These consistent performances have led party leaders to draw parallels between Nemom and Gujarat, suggesting it could serve as a springboard for a broader expansion in Kerala. The ‘Gujarat of Kerala’? The phrase “Gujarat of Kerala” reflects the BJP’s ambition to replicate in Nemom what Gujarat has historically been for the party, a stronghold that anchors wider political expansion. While the comparison remains aspirational, Nemom’s evolving electoral patterns suggest it is one of the few constituencies in Kerala where the BJP has managed to establish a sustained presence.

Nemom, a strategic suburban constituency, is the BJP's "gateway to Kerala." Despite 2021 losses, strong local and parliamentary leads have led the party to label it the "Gujarat of Kerala."

‘Nemom is BJP’s gateway to Kerala’: What we know about the contest and why it is being touted as the ‘Gujarat of Kerala’

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‘Nemom is BJP’s gateway to Kerala’: What we know about the contest