Published Mar 20, 2026 | 11:00 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 20, 2026 | 11:00 AM
Residents spoke to South First about multiple issues shaping voter sentiment.
Synopsis: In Kerala’s Ernakulam, voters express a mix of satisfaction, frustration and uncertainty ahead of the Assembly polls. Many point to uneven development, safety concerns and the accessibility of candidates, while personal loyalties and community influence remain important. These views indicate a closely contested election shaped largely by local issues and everyday experience.
The lush hills of the Western Ghats, pristine beaches and a busy metropolitan centre make Ernakulam a snapshot of Kerala’s diversity – not just geographically, but politically as well.
Traditionally a Congress-led UDF stronghold, the district saw the ruling LDF put up a respectable performance in the 2021 Assembly elections, winning five of the 14 seats, while the UDF secured the remaining nine.
The local body elections in December, however, told a different story. The UDF won 12 of 13 municipalities, leaving the LDF completely shut out, while the BJP took Thrippunithura.
With weeks to go before the 9 April Assembly polls, the UDF and BJP-led NDA are yet to announce candidates in several constituencies. The district’s 14 seats range from comfortable strongholds to tightly contested constituencies with razor-thin margins.
On the ground, voters are focusing more on local issues, while development, community and caste equations are expected to play a decisive role.
The influence of Christian dioceses and consolidated majority votes in certain pockets could prove crucial, making the contest more nuanced and competitive than the margins alone might suggest.
Thrippunithura, the first stop of the Kochi Metro and often called Rajanagari (Royal City) for being the former capital of the Kingdom of Cochin.
Sivaraman
Sivaraman, an 80-year-old tea shop owner who frequently engages his customers in political debates, said this election will be a clear bipolar contest between the LDF and UDF.
When asked why the NDA is absent despite governing the local body, he remarked, ”Their candidate isn’t from the BJP. They gave the seat to Twenty20. Their contestant is an actress and not accessible to common people like me.”
In 2021, LDF’s M Swaraj narrowly lost to UDF’s K Babu by 992 votes, while in 2016, Swaraj had defeated Babu by 4,467 votes. This time, K Babu chose not to contest and recommended Deepak Joy, the current Deputy Mayor of Kochi Corporation, as the UDF candidate.
The LDF has fielded KN Unnikrishnan, the sitting MLA from Vypeen, who is actively campaigning in the constituency.
Residents spoke to South First about multiple issues shaping voter sentiment – from strong personal connections with K Babu to concerns over underdeveloped rural pockets like Udayamperoor and Kumbalam, and the question of why a sitting MLA from another constituency is being fielded in Thrippunithura, noting that no candidate is from their own soil.
Twenty20’s Anjali Nair has begun campaigning, but the BJP camp remains largely inactive.
Around 25 local Twenty20 leaders have resigned in Thrippunithura. Many voters also expressed frustration over the delayed declaration of the Congress candidate and the BJP’s decision to field a Twenty20 nominee.
Aluva, marked by the iconic Marthanda Varma Bridge spanning the Periyar, greets visitors with a large flex board of sitting MLA Anwar Sadath of the UDF.
A suburban constituency and the terminal point of the Kochi Metro, Aluva has long been a Congress stronghold, with the CPI(M) winning here only twice – in 1967 and 2006.
When South First spoke to voters, especially from the working class, many highlighted Sadath’s accessibility and personal connect.
Akhil Paulose, Jishnu, Deepu Prathapan
”He is always there for us – visiting homes and attending functions like a family member,” said Asrudheen KH, an auto driver. Recalling the COVID period, he added, ”He even helped cremate bodies wearing PPE kits. Even now, we can call him directly without intermediaries.”
Sadath has represented Aluva since 2011. On the other hand, the LDF has fielded a new face, AM Arif, a former MP and MLA from Alappuzha.
However, some younger voters are calling for change. Akhil Paulose, Jishnu and Deepu Prathapan told South First that Sadath’s work has been limited.
”He attends events, but development is lacking. The flyover connecting two signals is unscientific. Despite Nedumbassery hosting Cochin International Airport, infrastructure remains inadequate. Arif is experienced and could bring change. Also, a split in Muslim votes may impact the result this time,” they said.
They claimed his repeated wins are backed by the Welfare Party and SDPI.
Linta, Jaina and Neenu, three young working women from the Kalamassery Assembly constituency, often spend their evenings at ‘Pothuvidam’, a mini park developed under ‘OPPAM’, a comprehensive welfare and development initiative led by Industries Minister P Rajeeve, the sitting MLA of Kalamassery.
Speaking to South First, they expressed satisfaction with the facilities in the constituency, highlighting improvements such as air-conditioned bus stops and better access to healthcare.
Linta, Jaina and Neenu
”A cancer research centre was recently opened here, and the super speciality block at Kalamassery Medical College has strengthened treatment facilities. The Adani Logistics Park is also expected to become a reality soon,” they said with visible excitement.
However, they also raised concerns over safety, particularly in suburban pockets. Recent incidents of attacks against women near HMT Junction and the railway station remain a major worry for them.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, P Rajeeve of the CPI(M) won the constituency, defeating his closest rival VE Abdul Gafoor of the IUML, son of former Minister VK Ebrahim Kunju.
Interestingly, in the subsequent local body elections, the UDF secured control in four out of five panchayats in the constituency, with only Eloor municipality backing the LDF.
Senior voters told South First that there could be a wave of sentimental support for Abdul Gafoor, as this is the first election following his father’s passing, while party strongholds continue to emphasise the development narrative led by the incumbent.
These young women prefer a change in government but remain concerned about the continuity of UDF guarantees, including free travel in KSRTC buses.
They also said they do not clearly remember the key contributions of the Oommen Chandy government, making comparisons difficult as new voters.
Ernakulam Assembly constituency, traditionally seen as a safe seat for the Congress-led UDF, has rarely given surprises, barring brief interruptions in 1987 and 1998.
But this time, the political climate appears less predictable. The constituency spans 24 divisions of the Kochi Corporation along with Cheranalloor, both currently under UDF control.
While the BJP is yet to finalise its candidate, both major fronts are preparing for a closer fight.
”With the LDF backing Sabu George, the contest is expected to be far more competitive than in previous elections. He is a familiar face here,” Thomas Philip, a voter from the constituency, told South First.
In recent elections, UDF candidate TJ Vinod has maintained a steady edge.
He first won the 2019 by-election—held after Hibi Eden moved to Parliament—with a narrow margin, and then expanded his lead significantly in the 2021 Assembly polls. Fielding him again signals continuity and confidence.
However, the LDF is banking on a different strategy this time.
By allocating the seat to its ally, the Indian Socialist Janata Dal, and projecting Sabu George, the front hopes to consolidate additional support bases and improve its vote share.
With shifting strategies and renewed calculations on both sides, Ernakulam is shaping up for a tighter-than-usual contest.
TJ Vinod expressed confidence to South First, stating that his campaign and house visits are drawing large crowds, with people turning up voluntarily to support him.
Anita, a pharmacist from Piravom Assembly constituency, along with her husband Joshy, points to a relatively subdued election season this time.
Speaking to South First, Joshy said, ”I am 50 years old. In the past 25 years, I have not seen any significant change in my constituency. Development happens only when the MLA belongs to the ruling party. Anoop Jacob is our current MLA, he represents the Jacob faction of the Kerala Congress (Jacob). Even though we are part of Ernakulam district, our constituency remains underdeveloped.”
Anita and Joshy
Meanwhile, Anita expresses a slightly different view. She wants Anoop Jacob to continue as MLA but hopes for a change in government.
”My mother receives welfare pension and treatment facilities in government hospitals have improved. But for our constituency, better development will happen if the UDF comes to power,” she said.
With three municipalities and nine panchayats, Piravom has long been a stronghold of the Kerala Congress. Except in 1987 and 2006, the constituency has not witnessed a significant LDF wave.
Residents from Chottanikkara point to the growing presence of the Twenty20 party in the region.
Additionally, the influence of Jacobite and Orthodox Christian factions continues to play a decisive role in Piravom’s electoral dynamics, similar to nearby Perumbavoor.
