Image: The Hindu
The 2026 Kerala Assembly elections are heating up in Nemom, where key players like V. Sivankutty and Rajeev Chandrasekhar fight for dominance.
GlipzoAs the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections approach, all eyes are on the Nemom constituency, a semi-urban area on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram. This constituency has become a microcosm of Kerala's intricate political landscape, characterized by its fluctuating allegiances and the fierce competition among major political parties. In a contest that promises to be both tight and unpredictable, the stakes are higher than ever.
A decade ago, Nemom made headlines when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed its first Assembly seat in Kerala from this constituency. The victory was monumental for a party that had struggled for years to establish a presence in the state. However, the tides turned in 2021 when the Left Democratic Front (LDF) reclaimed the seat from the BJP in a closely fought battle, reigniting the rivalry.
In the upcoming elections, the LDF has nominated V. Sivankutty, the incumbent MLA and General Education Minister, to defend its position. Sivankutty is not new to the electoral battleground; he previously defeated BJP's O. Rajagopal in 2011, although he faced defeat in 2016 despite increasing his vote share significantly—from 50,076 to 59,142. The BJP's Rajagopal is back in the fray as the candidate representing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
Meanwhile, the Congress party, which has not yet declared its candidate, faces pressure to select a strong contender. Names are circulating, but no official announcement has been made, leaving many to speculate on their strategy. The party's previous attempt to regain the seat in 2021 with K. Muraleedharan resulted in a three-way contest that ultimately favored the LDF, with a victory margin of just 3,949 votes.
Historically, Nemom has been a battleground for political shifts in Kerala. The constituency was part of the Thiruvananthapuram East Assembly seat prior to delimitation in 2008. In its inaugural election in 1957, the seat was won by A. Sadasivan of the undivided Communist Party of India (CPI). Since then, the constituency has oscillated between the Left and Congress, with the BJP making significant inroads more recently.
Over the years, the constituency's trends have shown: - 1957-2016: Dominated primarily by Left and socialist parties. - 2016: BJP secured its first Assembly seat here, marking a shift in voter sentiment. - 2021: LDF regained control amid accusations of the Congress party's mismanagement.
The complex history of electoral outcomes in Nemom underscores the changing political dynamics in Kerala and sets the stage for a riveting contest in 2026.
The BJP is approaching this election with renewed confidence, buoyed by its performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the 2025 local body elections, where it won a majority of wards in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation that fall within the Nemom constituency. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the party garnered 45.8% of the votes, indicating a growing support base. However, they remain cautious, recalling that in 2019, they had 41.4% of the votes yet lost the subsequent Assembly elections.
The LDF's position, while currently strong, is not without challenges. The party must work diligently to maintain its influence, especially given the BJP's aggressive campaigning strategies. The Congress party, on the other hand, faces the dual challenge of reviving its electoral fortunes while selecting a candidate who can effectively counter both the LDF and BJP.
As the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections draw nearer, the Nemom constituency is poised for an exciting showdown between the LDF, BJP, and an uncertain Congress. The outcome will not only determine the political landscape of Kerala but also reflect broader national trends in voting behavior. Given the constituency's recent history, voters will be scrutinizing candidates closely, weighing their track records, party affiliations, and campaign promises.
In conclusion, the Nemom constituency is not just a political battleground; it represents the evolving narrative of Kerala’s electoral politics, where every vote counts and every campaign can change the course of history.
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