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IUML, Congress, BJP Unveil Candidates for 2026 Kerala Assembly Elections

The Indian Union Muslim League has announced its first list of candidates for the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, with TP Ashraf Ali expressing confidence from the Kondotty constituency. The list features a significant shift for senior leader PK Kunhalikutty, who will contest from Malappuram. Meanwhile, the Congress party has released a list of 55 candidates, and the BJP has named its first set of nominees, including state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar. The elections are scheduled for April 9, 2026, with the current LDF government seeking a historic third consecutive term.

Key Points: Kerala 2026 Polls: IUML, Congress, BJP Candidate Lists Released

  • IUML releases first candidate list with inclusive representation
  • PK Kunhalikutty shifts to Malappuram constituency
  • Congress announces 55 candidates including VD Satheesan
  • BJP fields state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar from Nemom
3 min read

"Prepared for the coming election": Kondotty IUML candidate Ashraf Ali ahead of Kerala polls

Key parties announce candidates for Kerala's 2026 Assembly elections. IUML's Ashraf Ali confident, Congress names 55, BJP fields state chief. Polls set for April 9.

"We are prepared for the coming election. - TP Ashraf Ali"

Malappuram, March 18

Ahead of the Kerala Assembly Elections 2026, Indian Union Muslim League candidate from the Kondotty Legislative Assembly Constituency, TP Ashraf Ali on Wednesday emphasised that the party has released an inclusive list with representatives from all sections of society, asserting that they are well-prepared for the upcoming polls.

Speaking to ANI, Ali said, "We are prepared for the coming election. IUML state president yesterday declared all candidates. Representation of people from all sections of society has been given in the list...We will take forward the agenda of development."

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Tuesday officially released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, featuring a major shift for senior leader PK Kunhalikutty, who will contest from the Malappuram constituency.

The Indian Union Muslim League has announced its candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections. PK Kunhalikutty will contest from Malappuram instead of Vengara. In Vengara, KM Shaji will be the party's candidate. Other candidates announced are: Faisal Babu - Kozhikode South, Fathima Tehliyya - Perambra, Jayanthi Rajan - Kuthuparamba Razaq Master - Kunnamangalam Rahmathulla - Manjeri, Anwar Naha - Tirurangadi.

Meanwhile, Congress announced its list of 55 candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections. The party has fielded Kerala Congress Committee President Sunny Joseph from the Peravoor seat. Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan has been fielded from the Paravur seat.

This comes after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released the first list of candidates for the upcoming Kerala state polls. The party has fielded BJP Kerala President Rajeev Chandrasekhar from Nemom seat and former Union Minister of State for External Affairs of India, V Muraleedharan, from Kazhakoottam seat.

The 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, with the counting of votes scheduled to take place on May 4.

The Model Code of Conduct came into place on Sunday, setting in process elections to the 140-member State Assembly, also known as Kerala Niyamasabha. The tenure of the current assembly is scheduled to end on May 23, 2026.

In the previous Kerala Assembly election in 2021, the incumbent LDF retained power with 99 seats, marking the first time since 1977 that a ruling alliance secured consecutive terms in the state. The UDF won 41 seats, while the NDA saw a decline in vote share and lost its only seat in the Assembly.

The 2016 Assembly elections had also seen the LDF come to power, winning 77 seats with a vote share of 34.8 per cent. The UDF secured 47 seats with 38.2 per cent of the votes, reflecting a closely contested political environment at the time.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Interesting shift for Kunhalikutty to Malappuram! The candidate lists from all parties show a real fight is brewing. As a voter, I'm more interested in their concrete plans for healthcare and education than just their preparedness. 🤔
R
Rohit P
The BJP list is also noteworthy with strong candidates. Kerala's political landscape is truly multipolar now. The 2026 election will be a tight contest, not a walkover for anyone. May the best development-focused alliance win!
S
Sarah B
Respectfully, I hope this "inclusive list" translates to inclusive governance. Sometimes parties talk about all sections of society during elections but forget them afterwards. Actions speak louder than candidate announcements.
M
Meera T
The focus should be on how to improve the state's financial health and attract investment. LDF, UDF, NDA – everyone says they are prepared. We need a clear vision for the next 5 years, not just a change of faces. 🇮🇳
K
Karthik V
As a neutral observer from Tamil Nadu, Kerala's elections are always a fascinating study in coalition politics. The UDF's performance, especially with allies like IUML, will be key to challenging the LDF. All the best to all candidates!

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