As Keralam votes, Congress' Ramesh Chennithala voiced confidence in winning over 100 seats, citing the LDF's 10-year 'misrule'. CM Pinarayi Vijayan countered, expressing trust in the people and predicting an LDF victory for a third term.
Chennithala Confident of UDF Victory
Congress candidate from Haripad, Ramesh Chennithala, cast his vote on Thursday, expressing confidence that his party will win over 100 seats as voting for Keralam Assembly elections is underway. He also said voters are tired of the current government's 10-year rule. Speaking to the reporters, Chennithala said, "We are very confident that we are winning on more than 100 seats in the Assembly elections and forming an efficient government in Keralam. The people are tired of this current govt. Their 10-year rule was a misrule, and the Sabarimala issue is a major one. Narendra Modi has no relevance in Keralam."
High-Stakes Electoral Contest
Polling for the 2026 Keralam Assembly elections is underway in a single phase, with voters turning out across constituencies to decide the fate of candidates in the 140-member Legislative Assembly. The elections are being closely watched as a key political contest, with the UDF aiming to unseat the CPI(M)-led LDF government, which has been in power for the past decade. The BJP, meanwhile, is seeking to expand its presence in the state. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
CM Vijayan Hits Back, Expects LDF Win
Earlier in the day, Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed confidence in the Left Democratic Front (LDF)'s victory in the 2026 Assembly elections, saying that the public trusts the ruling alliance. Speaking to reporters after casting his vote in Kannur, Vijayan said that "false and communal propaganda" cannot defeat the LDF. "False propaganda cannot defeat the LDF. We always trust the people, and the people trust us. We have travelled with the people for the last ten years, and that journey must continue. We are with the people, and the people are with us. Communal propaganda cannot defeat us," he said.
Election by the Numbers
In the south-Indian state, over 2,6 crore electors will decide the fate of 883 candidates across 140 constituencies. The electorate comprises 2,69,53,644 registered voters, in which the total number of female voters is 1,38,27,319, the number of male voters is 1,31,26,048, and the number of Third gender category voters is 277. Among them, around 4,24,518 voters are in the 18-19 age group, and 2,04,608 voters are in the senior citizen category, aged 85 years and above.
For a smooth voting process, 30,471 polling stations have been set up, out of which 119 are logistic and voter machine distribution centres and 41 are vote counting centres. (ANI)
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