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The contest pits the Left Democratic Front (LDF), United Democratic Front (UDF), and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) against each other.
Left to right: V Sivankutty, Rajeev Chandrasekhar and KS Sabarinadhan. (PTI photos)
Kerala election 2026: As the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections approach, the Nemom constituency in Thiruvananthapuram is set to witness a high-stakes triangular battle, making it one of the most closely watched seats in the state.
The contest pits the Left Democratic Front (LDF), United Democratic Front (UDF), and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) against each other, each hoping to capture this politically significant seat.
Constituency Candidates – Three-Way Battle
The LDF is fielding Education Minister V Sivankutty of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), who reclaimed Nemom in 2021 after losing it in 2016 to BJP veteran O Rajagopal. Sivankutty defeated BJP’s Kummanam Rajasekharan by a margin of 3,949 votes in 2021, highlighting the constituency’s competitive nature.
The NDA, led by the BJP, has nominated state party president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a technocrat-turned-politician and Union minister, aiming to convert Nemom into a long-term stronghold.
Chandrasekhar has criticised the LDF for unfulfilled promises and is seeking to consolidate Hindu votes while highlighting issues such as the Sabarimala gold theft case.
The UDF has fielded KS Sabarinadhan, son of former Congress minister G Karthikeyan. Though he lost the previous Assembly election from Aruvikkara, his campaign is boosted by the support of Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, who is popular in the city and has actively campaigned in Nemom.
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Seat Electoral History
Nemom has emerged as a key battleground in Kerala politics. In 2016, O Rajagopal secured BJP’s first-ever Assembly victory in the state from this constituency. However, the seat returned to the CPI(M) in 2021. Despite this, the BJP remains optimistic after its victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation elections last year, which has strengthened its organisational presence in the region.
The constituency has witnessed narrow margins and active campaigning by all fronts, with development issues, religious sentiments, and local infrastructure being central themes.
Sivankutty has highlighted projects such as the Chala Industrial Training Institute (ITI) and Karamana junction improvements, while Chandrasekhar is emphasising governance failures and party ideology.
Demography
Nemom, a General category seat, lies in southern Thiruvananthapuram district and includes parts of the state capital. The constituency covers wards 37 to 39, 48 to 58, and 61 to 68 of the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation.
The demographic composition shows a Hindu majority of 66.46%, followed by Christians at 19.10% and Muslims at 13.72%, according to the 2011 Census.
Polling for the Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will take place on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4. Nemom is expected to be a crucial test for all three fronts. The CPI(M) seeks to consolidate its regained ground, the BJP aims to expand its foothold, and the Congress is looking to leverage its urban vote base to make a strong showing.
(With inputs from agencies)
Kerala, India, India
April 08, 2026, 12:11 AM IST
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