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

Kundara's 2026 Assembly polls heat up as UDF, LDF, and NDA candidates present distinct visions for the constituency's future.

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’.