UDF Wave Sweeps Chavara: Shibu Baby John Reclaims Legacy with Thumping Victory

KOLLAM: In a powerful political comeback that has sent ripples through the coastal belt of Kollam, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) leader Shibu Baby John has secured a landslide victory in the Chavara constituency. Reclaiming his family’s traditional stronghold, the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate defeated incumbent Dr. Sujith Vijayanpillai by a staggering margin of 18,573 votes.

The result was officially declared after 14 intense rounds of counting, signaling a significant shift in the electoral landscape of the region.
The contest in Chavara was one of the most anticipated matchups of the 2026 Assembly elections, largely viewed as a battle for the legacy of the late RSP veteran Baby John.

Shibu Baby John, who had narrowly lost the seat in the previous election, maintained a consistent and widening lead from the very first round of counting. Final figures from the Election Commission show that John polled 74,308 votes, effectively tapping into a strong wave of support that overwhelmed his opponent, who managed 55,735 votes.

Political analysts attribute this decisive mandate to a combination of local anti-incumbency and Shibu Baby John’s deep-rooted connection with the cashew and coastal workers of the constituency. Throughout the campaign, the UDF focused heavily on the developmental stagnation of the region and the issues facing traditional industries.

This victory not only restores the RSP’s pride in its home turf but also significantly strengthens the UDF’s tally in the Travancore region, marking a major milestone in the 2026 state assembly results.

(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.)