Political Dynamics Heat Up in Kerala's Nemom Assembly Seat Ahead of 2026 Elections

Significance of the Nemom Assembly Seat

The Nemom assembly constituency in Kerala is viewed as a crucial entry point for the BJP in the state. The party made its first significant mark in the Kerala assembly in 2016 when O. Rajagopal won from this seat. Since then, it has gained considerable political importance, especially with the upcoming 2026 assembly elections, where it is once again in the spotlight. A triangular contest is anticipated among the LDF, UDF, and NDA parties.

Current Scenario with LDF's Shivankutty

Currently, the LDF holds this seat, with Kerala's Education Minister V. Shivankutty contesting again. In the 2021 elections, Shivankutty defeated the BJP candidate, but he faced defeat in 2016. This indicates that the voting trends in Nemom are unpredictable, and the outcome can vary with each election.

NDA's Rajeev Chandrasekhar Takes the Stage

This time, the BJP has fielded state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar as their candidate. He has been actively campaigning to secure a win in this constituency. The BJP had a strong showing in the previous elections, and they are hopeful that Prime Minister Modi's rally will further bolster their candidate's chances.

UDF's New Candidate

The UDF has chosen K.S. Sabareeshan as their candidate for the Nemom seat. He is the son of senior Congress leader G. Karthikeyan. Additionally, Shashi Tharoor, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, is also campaigning in support of Sabareeshan. The Congress party is optimistic that Tharoor's popularity will translate into votes during the assembly elections.