Kerala Assembly polls 2026: campaign trail heats up in Kundara as three major fronts intensify their reach-out programmes

The electoral landscape in Kundara is reaching a fever pitch as the three major fronts intensify their reach-out programmes, each injecting a unique energy into the campaign. From places of worship to cashew factories and busy junctions, the air is thick with political rhetoric and the promise of a transformed future for this important constituency in Kollam.

At a local cashew factory, sitting MLA P.C. Vishnunadh of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) sets a personal and empathetic tone. Known for his approachable demeanour, Mr. Vishnunadh spends considerable time listening to the grievances of women workers, whose livelihoods are tethered to the struggling cashew sector. His campaign strategy leans heavily on his accessibility and his track record over the last five years, which he describes as a period of being “with the people” through every developmental milestone.

He challenges skeptics to verify his performance through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, positioning himself as a hard-working opposition representative who had to navigate government discrimination to bring projects to fruition. Confident in his ‘attimari vijayam’ from 2021 against J. Mercykutty Amma, Mr. Vishnunadh remains certain that the people will ignore baseless allegations and reward him with an even larger majority this time around, predicting a landslide 100-seat victory for the UDF across the State.

LDF candidate ​S​.L. Sajikumar during campaigns in​ Kundara.
| Photo Credit:
C. SURESHKUMAR

At Kottamkara, Left Democratic Front (LDF)’s S.L. Sajikumar presents a starkly different narrative, focussing on what he describes as a period of stagnation. His campaign is characterised by high-energy interactions – waving to supporters and engaging in discussions about the political relevance of the polls. Mr. Sajikumar’s core argument is that while Kerala has progressed rapidly, Kundara has been left behind under the current leadership. He frequently invokes the legacy of the Ms. Mercykutty Amma, noting that development works worth ₹1,400 crore were implemented during her tenure. According to Mr. Sajikumar, the sitting MLA has merely coasted on these existing projects without initiating anything new. He promises a complete overhaul of the constituency, pledging to bring multiple projects that will mark Kundara’s presence on the map across all sectors if the Left is returned to power.

Adding a third dimension to the contest is the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)’s Robin Radhakrishnan, who has infused the campaign with celebrity charisma and a focus on ‘change’.

NDA candidate​ R​obin Radhakrishnan during an election campaign at​ ​K​undara Assembly constituency in Kollam on Saturday.
| Photo Credit:
C. SURESHKUMAR

Sweeping through Elampallur with a spirited entourage in tow, he pauses to solicit the blessings of an elderly woman, who responds by gently resting her hand on his head. His assessment of the current state of affairs is biting, as he asserts that progress in vital sectors like healthcare, education, and infrastructure has ground to a halt. Dr. Robin vows to reinvent Kundara as a model constituency and offers a bold political guarantee — to bring Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the region within 90 days of his victory, providing a direct channel for residents to voice their concerns to the nation’s top leadership.

As the candidates criss-cross the constituency, the voters are presented with three distinct visions: Mr. Vishnunadh’s appeal for continuity, Mr. Sajikumar’s promise of a brighter era and Dr. Robin’s call for a radical shift toward a model future backed by the union government. With the high-stakes battle for the seat reflecting the larger political climate of Kerala, the trail through Kundara is not just about local issues, but a fight for the very identity of the constituency’s future.