Higher Turnout In Thrikkakara Favours NDA, Says Akhil Marar; UDF Camp Confident
Thrikkakara Assembly constituency recorded a voter turnout of 78.85% in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, indicating a rise in participation in what remains one of the key urban battlegrounds in Ernakulam district. The constituency, which is situated in the heart of Ernakulam city covering major areas like Edappally, Vytilla, Panampilly Nagar, Palarivattom and Kadavanthra, was brought to the limelight after NDA announced Big Boss Malayalam winner Akhil Marar as their candidate. Prior to this, Marar, a motor mouth on everything under the sun or may be above, had joined the Twenty20 Party (TTP). Kitex’s Sabu Jacob-led TTP had joined hands with BJP ahead of that to contest in the Kerala Assembly elections.
NDA candidate Akhil Marar claimed that the increase in polling was not due to anti-incumbency sentiment, but rather a consolidation of votes in favour of his front. He said that anti-government votes, dissatisfaction against the sitting MLA, and support from neutral and change-seeking voters had contributed to the higher turnout.
According to Marar, a significant share of new and first-time voters, along with BJP supporters, had backed the NDA. He also expressed confidence that the NDA could secure over 25,000 votes in the constituency, adding that support from Twenty20 voters could further strengthen his position.
At the same time, Marar acknowledged that UDF candidate Uma Thomas remains a strong contender. He noted that if minority votes consolidate in favour of the UDF, Uma Thomas could retain the seat.
Thrikkakara, traditionally a UDF stronghold, is witnessing a competitive three-way contest between the UDF, LDF, and NDA. The constituency, which was came to existence after the 2008 delimitation process, has only been electing a Congress candidate in all the elections held after its formation. Uma Thomas’s husband and known Congress leader PT Thomas had represented the constituency in 2016 and 2021 elections before his death in December 2021. Later, Uma was elected in the by-elections. In 2021, current Chalakkudi MP Benny Behanan was elected from Thrikkakkara. With higher turnout and shifting voter dynamics, the final outcome is expected to depend on how effectively each front consolidates its support base.
(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.)
