Kerala Elections

Datanomics: Mapping candidate demographics ahead of April 9 polls

From age and education to wealth and criminal cases, a closer look at who is contesting the April 9 polls across key states

Polling begins today in Kerala, Assam, Puducherry for Assembly elections

High-stakes polls in Kerala, Assam and Puducherry test incumbents, opposition strength and shifting political dynamics across key regions

Kerala polls: EC seeks removal of political ads from online platforms

The EC on Wednesday noted that political advertisements were appearing on channels and online platforms on the eve of the April 9 Kerala Assembly polls and sought that they be removed immediately. The instruction was circulated by the EC's Kerala office in an official WhatsApp group comprising media groups and journalists. "Advertisements are appearing on channels and online platforms. This is not permitted during the silence period. It is requested that these be withdrawn immediately," the message said. According to the EC, campaigning through public meetings, rallies, media interactions and election-related interviews was strictly prohibited during the silence period to ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders. It has also directed that no person shall display to the public any 'election matter' by means of cinematograph, television or other similar apparatus, including radio, during the 48 hours ending with the conclusion of the poll. The 'election matter' will include

Kerala Assembly elections 2026: Make or break for Left and Congress

For the CPI(M), a victory is essential to preserve its last bastion in the country. The CPI(M) has remained relevant in Kerala even as it was voted out of power in West Bengal and Tripura

CPI(M) in 'deal' with BJP for April 9 polls in Kerala: Priyanka Gandhi

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday alleged that the CPI(M)-led front has struck a "deal" with the BJP for April 9 Assembly polls in Kerala. She also accused the ruling LDF of "compromising" on ideology, accountability, and responsibility in order to remain in power for 10 years. The Wayanad MP was addressing a corner meeting in Peravoor in this northern district as part of the campaign for the Assembly polls. The LDF chose to make a deal with the BJP, who "harasses" the minorities, especially the Christian community and their nuns, she claimed. Despite the massive theft in Sabarimala, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose not to utter a single word against it, Vadra alleged, and pointed it out as evidence for the deal. When anyone raises a voice against the PM, they are faced with CBI, ED or income tax cases. There is no such single case against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, she claimed. She further charged that a sense of arrogance had crept into the LDF ...

Kerala CM releases progress report, claims 97% of 2021 promises fulfilled

As the Kerala Assembly polls campaign enters its final phase, the ruling LDF on Monday released its progress report, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan claiming that around 97 per cent of the promises made in 2021 have been fulfilled. Releasing the report at a press conference here, Vijayan said that people have the right to know the extent to which election promises have been implemented. Respecting that right, the LDF government has, since 2016, presented an annual progress report to the public. "We believe that providing an account as a government is a responsibility. This report briefly summarises the progress of the fifth year of the government that assumed office in 2021," he said. Vijayan, who leads the LDF campaign for the April 9 polls, stated that in 2021, 900 promises were placed before the people in the manifesto. "Of these, approximately 97 per cent of the promises have already been fulfilled or have reached an effective stage of implementation," he added. Kerala w

A corporate model goes political: Twenty20 may disrupt Kerala politics

Kitex-backed Twenty20 enters Kerala's Assembly polls with NDA, pitching its Kizhakkambalam model as a disruptor in the state's bipolar political landscape

Hidden BJP-RSS-LDF hand influencing Keralam elections: Rahul Gandhi

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi questioned his silence on the alleged Sabarimala temple gold controversy. "Chief Minister has full access to the Prime Minister, to the Home Minister

No ads by political parties in media on Apr 8, 9 without MCMC clearance: EC

The Election Commission has directed all political parties and candidates contesting in the Kerala Assembly polls on April 9, not to publish any advertisements in print media, on polling day and its eve, without getting the contents pre-certified by the MCMC committee. The directive, issued by Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar late Friday night, stated that offending, misleading, or inflammatory advertisements published in print media during the final stages of an election can vitiate the entire electoral process. "At such a critical juncture, affected parties and candidates often lack the opportunity to provide necessary rebuttals," it said. Therefore, exercising the powers under Article 324 of the Constitution, the EC directed that no political party, candidate, organisation, or person shall publish any advertisement in print media on April 8 and 9 unless the contents are got pre-certified from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) at the state or ..

Rahul Gandhi says Kerala CM Pinarayi linked to those 'attacking' minorities

Top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday targeted the ruling LDF in Kerala and the BJP, alleging that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is in a partnership with people who "attack minorities" in other parts of the country. Addressing an election gathering here, Gandhi reiterated his allegation of a BJPLDF understanding and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not speaking about the Sabarimala issue during the election campaign. Referring to former CPI(M) leader G Sudhakaran, who shared the stage with the Congress leader, Gandhi said his presence reflected a deeper shift within the CPI(M)-led LDF. Sudhakaran is contesting as an Independent with UDF support from Ambalapuzha. "We have a senior Left leader on the stage. There is a reason he is sitting here. It is not that he has suddenly changed his thinking. People who spend many years in a political organisation absorb its values. He is not here out of opportunism. He is here because something fundamental has happened to the LD

Shashi Tharoor's gunman, driver attacked in Kerala's Malappuram, one held

A person has been taken into custody after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's gunman and driver were allegedly attacked by a five-member group at Wandoor here, police said on Saturday. According to Wandoor Police, a case has been registered, and one person is currently in custody. Police said the case was registered based on a complaint lodged by Tharoor's gunman, Ratheesh K P. As per the FIR, the incident occurred at Chellithode near Thiruvali in Wandoor at around 7.30 pm on Friday. Police officials said the incident took place when there was a roadblock at the Chelithode bridge as Tharoor was on his way to attend an election campaign event of Congress leader A P Anilkumar. According to the FIR, the accused, who were travelling in two vehicles, blocked the MP's vehicle. When the gunman attempted to clear the obstruction, he and the driver were allegedly attacked, the FIR said. Police said the road was narrow and the gunman had only asked the vehicle ahead to move faster to ensure smo

Taking strict action for violation of MCC, poll rules: Kerala CEO

Kerala CEO Rathan U Kelkar has said that the EC is taking strict action against anyone violating the MCC or other election rules both in the physical space and the digital world. The Chief Electoral Officer said that immediately after the elections were announced, it was made clear to all political parties and candidates that they shall abide by the Model Code of Conduct and "any violations will be dealt with strictly". Kelkar said that an FIR has been lodged and an investigation is going in connection with the recent allegedly communal remarks by BJP's Guruvayur assembly seat candidate B Gopalakrishnan. In the incident of a recorded LDF announcement being played in Perambra constituency accusing a UDF candidate of seeking votes on religious grounds, the Returning Officer has sought explanations from the LDF candidate, he said. "Not only in the physical space, but in the digital world also we are taking action against people and any disregard for the rules and everything is being .

PM Modi to address rally, hold roadshow in Kerala today ahead of polls

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Kerala on Saturday as part of the NDA's election campaign, BJP sources said. The PM is scheduled to attend a public meeting in Thiruvalla and take part in a roadshow in Thiruvananthapuram, they added. Modi will arrive at Thiruvananthapuram airport at around 2.30 pm and will travel by helicopter to Changanassery NSS College ground in Kottayam district, where he is expected to land at 3 pm. From there, he will travel by road for a public meeting at the Thiruvalla stadium where party leaders and NDA candidates from nearby constituencies are expected to be present, the sources said. After the public meeting, the PM will travel to Thiruvananthapuram, where he will hold a road show from Killipalam to Karamana Junction, covering a distance of around 1.5 kilometers, in the evening, they said. The roadshow is expected to draw a large number of party workers and supporters. Senior BJP leaders, including Rajeev Chandrasekhar and V Muraleedharan, w

'Kerala in a debt trap' narrative is deliberate distortion of facts: CM

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan discusses the state government's achievements and the upcoming elections

Gulf nations prioritising safety of Indians in war zone: PM Modi in Keralam

PM Modi noted that many people from Keralam are working in the war-affected areas in the Gulf and the government is working to ensure that the impact of this war on India is minimised

EC convenes inter-state border meeting with officials of poll-bound states

Seeking to strengthen electoral preparedness, the Election Commission on Tuesday convened an inter-state border meeting with top administration and police officials of five poll-going and their neighbouring states. The poll authority also met with Multi-Departmental Committee on Election Intelligence (MDCEI), to enhance coordination, curb illegal activities, and ensure smooth, secure, violence-free and inducement-free elections across poll-bound states. The Election Commission had recently reactivated its economic intelligence panel after a gap of six years to curb the use of money, liquor and drugs to influence voters ahead of the Bihar polls. West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will go for assembly polls next month. West Bengal and Assam also share international borders with Bangladesh.

Three poles in poll fray: Kerala boasts literacy, low poverty, but not jobs

Kerala heads into a three-cornered electoral contest amid strong social indicators, fiscal stress, and a persistent jobs crisis

Kerala Assembly election: BJP releases third list of 11 candidates

The BJP on Saturday released its third list of 11 candidates for the Kerala Assembly Polls, fielding Karamana Jayan from Thiruvananthapuram. According to the list, Raveendranath Vakathanam will join the fray from Puthuppally, KR Rajesh from Chavara, R S Arun Raj from Chadayamangalam, and V Ratheesh from Peerumade seat. Vivek Gopan will contest from Aruvikkara seat, TN Suresh from Kovalam, and S Rajasekharan Nair from Neyyattinkara seat. The party has fielded Ajimon from Mavelikkara seat, BS Anoop from Chirayinkeezhu, and Pandalam Prathapan from Adoor seat.

Kerala CM accuses Congress, Rahul of being BJP's B-team ahead of polls

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday hit out against the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing them of being the B-team of the BJP. Vijayan made the accusation during an interview given to PTI videos. In response to a query regarding Rahul's recent remark that central agencies have arrested or called for questioning other opposition leaders in the country, except the Kerala CM, the Marxist veteran accused the Congress leader and his party of acting as the B-team of the BJP. He also accused the Congress of appeasement politics and seeking the support of groups engaged in majority and minority communalism. The CPI(M)-led LDF is against any form of communalism and does not seek the support of any group engaged in communal activities, the CM said. Regarding the Sabarimala gold loss issue, Vijayan said that the investigation of the matter was being monitored by the Kerala High Court, which has not found fault with the probe, irrespective of the claims to the cont

ECI orders prior approval for political ads ahead of Assembly elections

The Election Commission has directed political parties and candidates to seek pre-approval for ads across TV and digital platforms amid concerns over misinformation and AI misuse in campaigns