LDF Eyes Stronghold As Kanhangad Heads To Polling Booth

Kanhangad, Kasaragod: As campaigning ended in the Kanhangad Assembly constituency, polling is set for April 9 as part of the Kerala Assembly Elections 2026, with a contest led by LDF candidate Govindan Palliakkapil, UDF candidate Shaiji Ottappally, and NDA candidate Balraj.

Kanhangad, established in 2008, has remained with the Left in recent elections, giving the LDF a stable base in the constituency.

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In the 2021 election, CPI candidate E. Chandrasekharan secured 84,615 votes (50.72%), defeating INC candidate P. V. Suresh, who polled 57,476 votes (34.45%), with a margin of 27,139 votes. BJP candidate Balraj received 21,570 votes (12.93%).

All fronts have been active in the final phase of campaigning. The LDF is banking on its sitting MLA, while the UDF is attempting to close the gap. The campaign also saw controversy after a complaint was filed against the UDF candidate alleging that he sought votes using religious references, in violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Election authorities have sought a report on the matter.

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As polling approaches, Kanhangad remains a watched constituency where voter turnout and shifts in votes could influence the final outcome.