Chathannoor, Kerala: The BJP-led NDA is increasingly focusing on the Chathannoor Assembly constituency in Kollam district, a seat where it has emerged as a strong challenger after finishing second in the last two assembly elections and steadily eating into the vote share of both the LDF and the UDF.
Though not always counted among Kerala's high-profile battlegrounds, Chathannoor has quietly turned into a politically significant constituency for the BJP, which sees a realistic chance of converting its growth into a victory this time. The seat is currently held by CPI, with GS Jayalal serving as the sitting MLA.
Margins shrinking, contest heating up
The constituency has witnessed a tightening electoral contest over the years. In the 2016 Assembly elections, CPI leader G S Jayalal won comfortably with a margin of 34,407 votes against BJP's B B Gopakumar and Congress candidate Sooranad Rajasekhar.
However, the 2021 elections saw a dramatic shift. While Jayalal retained the seat, his winning margin dropped sharply to 17,206 votes, almost half of his previous margin. The BJP, with BB Gopakumar as its candidate, significantly improved its performance, registering an increase of around six percentage points in vote share.
On the other hand, the Congress-led UDF struggled to make an impact. Its candidate, N Peethambara Kurup, failed to create a strong electoral wave, reflecting a continued decline for the front in the constituency. Compared to 2011, when Bindu Krishna contested, the UDF's vote share has seen a steep fall, an aspect that has reshaped the local political dynamics.
Candidates in the fray for 2026
For the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections, CPI has fielded R Rajendran, a member of the party's state secretariat, as the LDF candidate. The BJP has once again placed its faith in B B Gopakumar, fielding him for the third consecutive time, signalling continuity and confidence in his growing support base.
The UDF has nominated KPCC secretary Sooraj Ravi, son of former Kundara MLA Thoppil Ravi. Interestingly, there were initial discussions about allocating the seat to the Forward Bloc, but the Congress eventually decided to contest it directly.
Adding to the multi-cornered contest, the Aam Aadmi Party has also entered the fray with Arun A as its candidate.
BJP's rise and changing voter trends
One of the most striking trends in Chathannoor has been the BJP's steady rise in vote share. From a modest 3.36 per cent in 2011, the party surged to 30.61 per cent in 2021, marking a significant shift in voter preference. This consistent growth has strengthened the NDA's confidence in mounting a serious challenge.
At the same time, both the LDF and the UDF have seen their vote shares decline, raising concerns within the two traditional fronts about erosion of their core support base.
Despite its upward trajectory, the BJP faces a crucial test. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA finished third in Chathannoor, raising questions about whether the party can sustain its Assembly-level momentum and translate it into a winning performance.