Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: All eyes on Paravur as poll fever reaches a crescendo in this Congress stronghold

As Kerala's 2026 Assembly elections approach, Paravur emerges as a key battleground for Congress, Left, and NDA candidates.

The Paravur market woke up as usual on Tuesday to the lively chorus of vendors calling out their fresh produce and workers moving the goods in their wheelbarrows. It was around 7 a.m and the otherwise bustling mood lifted further as Kerala’s Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan entered the marketplace, accompanied by a group of local Congress leaders and workers.

Familiar with the place for years, he navigated through the narrow paths with ease as he warmly greeted traders and customers alike, often calling out their names in his personal style. “They have held me close to their hearts for a long time,” he said, recalling his record of representing the Paravur constituency in the Kerala Assembly on behalf of the United Democratic Front (UDF) for a record five times since 2001.

“Kerala will vote for the UDF in this election. We will come to power with over 100 seats,” he claimed before holding an elderly voter close. Shutterbugs clicked as vegetable sellers offered him fresh pineapples and bunch of plantains. “You need not have come all the way here in this busy time,” reminded 45-year-old Bejoy, a farmer, with affection. “Their care and love is my might,” said Mr. Satheesan as he merged with the expanding crowd at the market.

Nearly seven kilometres away, a motley crowd of women and children at Thuruthoor in Puthenvelikkara panchayat awaited the arrival of E.T. Taison, the Left Democratic Front candidate. A few minutes later, an election vehicle marked the entry of incumbent Kaipamangalam MLA. “The response of the public has been positive all through the campaigning. They wanted a change,” he said.

LDF Paravur constituency candidate E.T. Taison being welcomed by supporters at Puthenvelikkara. | Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT

A few children welcome him with a bunch of Bougainvillea as the campaign vehicle treads along the winding paths bordered by lush greenscape. He called out an octogenarian riding towards him by his name. The campaign managers remind him about the hectic schedule ahead. “In Paravur, we are also seeking a third term for the Left front. Development is the key plank along with the promise of implementing various welfare programmes for the public,” he said. The Communist Party of India, which held the Paravur seat under its kitty for long, remained hopeful that its candidate will be able to put up a tight contest against Mr. Satheesan, who had retained the seat for the fifth consecutive time with an improved margin of 21,301 votes amidst the Left wave in 2021.