Ambalapuzha assembly poll: UDF-backed G Sudhakaran wins after rebellious exit from CPM

G Sudhakaran has won the Ambalapuzha constituency in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, retaining the seat after breaking ties with the CPM and contesting with what has been described as a rebellious exit.

Counting concluded on Monday (May 4), confirming his victory in the closely watched Alappuzha district seat.

G Sudhakaran secured 74,324 votes and has been declared the winner. H Salam of the CPM-led LDF polled 43,548 votes. BJP-led NDA candidate Arun Anirudhan received 7,256 votes. The margin of victory for Sudhakaran stands at 27,663 votes.

Contest background and political alignment

The contest in Ambalapuzha featured H Salam of the CPM-led LDF, G Sudhakaran, a former CPM minister contesting as an independent with backing from the Congress-led UDF, and Arun Anirudhan of the BJP-led NDA.

Sudhakaran’s candidature followed a break with the CPM’s district leadership after a prolonged internal fallout, leading to his exit from the party and independent contest in a constituency long associated with the Left.

His campaign included public receptions and engagement in coastal and rural regions, including Kuttanad. Development work linked to infrastructure projects featured in his outreach.

The LDF campaign centred on governance continuity and welfare delivery, with Salam relying on organisational strength and his record as sitting MLA. The NDA focused on selected pockets of support.

Ambalapuzha has historically been a Left stronghold, with most previous elections favouring the LDF. In 2021, H Salam won by an 8 per cent margin after Sudhakaran was denied a ticket. Sudhakaran had earlier represented the constituency for three consecutive terms.