Chandy Oommen Secures Decisive Victory in Puthuppally
KOTTAYAM: In a high-stakes electoral battle that drew statewide attention, Adv. Chandy Oommen of the Indian National Congress (INC) has emerged victorious in the Puthuppally constituency. The Election Commission officially declared the results today after the completion of all 15 rounds of counting, confirming Oommen’s position as a dominant force in regional politics with a lead of 52,907 votes.
The winner, Adv. Chandy Oommen, is an advocate by profession who has practiced law at the Supreme Court of India since 2016. A highly educated leader, he holds an LLB from Delhi University and an LLM from the National Law University, Delhi, complemented by a summer course at the London School of Economics. Beyond his professional credentials, Oommen is widely recognized for carrying forward the legacy of his father, the late veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
This election cycle, he was noted for his “green campaign,” where he prioritized environmental consciousness by cycling through the constituency and avoiding plastic materials.
The runner-up, K.M. Radhakrishnan of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], put up a spirited challenge but ultimately trailed as the final tallies were consolidated. A 65-year-old veteran social worker and seasoned political activist, Radhakrishnan is a familiar face in the region’s grassroots movements. Residing in Poothakuzhy, Kottayam, he has dedicated decades to local social causes and has been an active voice for the labor class. His campaign focused heavily on infrastructure development and social welfare, drawing on his extensive experience in community organizing.
Despite the loss, Radhakrishnan’s campaign managed to maintain a solid foundation of support in several local segments, highlighting the competitive nature of the Puthuppally seat. CPI(M) leadership noted that they would review the polling data from various booths to analyze the shift in voter sentiment. Meanwhile, the Election Commission confirmed that the process was completed smoothly across all 15 rounds, marking a definitive conclusion to one of the most watched contests in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections.
The counting of votes, which began earlier today, continues under tight security across the state. The UDF is showing strong momentum, and the results could mark a major political shift in Kerala. More updates are expected as counting progresses.
(This story is part of a Timeline. internship project “Whom They Voted For: Celebrating The Election Festival”. This internship project is being organised aimed at helping young minds understand the electoral process of the country.)
