From KK Shailaja to R Sreelekha: Who won and lost among key women candidates in Kerala?

Results emerging from the Kerala Assembly elections indicate a series of victories for major women candidates across key constituencies.

In Thrikkakara, Uma Thomas (Congress/UDF) secured the highest victory margin among the group, winning by 50,211 votes. She polled a total of 83,375 votes.

UDF women candidates post strong wins in multiple seats

In Aroor, Shanimol Osman (Congress/UDF) won with 74,469 votes, holding a victory margin of 9,324.

Elathur saw Vidya Balakrishnan (UDF) secure 77,662 votes with a margin of 12,162.

In Kollam, Bindu Krishna (Congress/UDF) won with 63,416 votes and a margin of 16,830.

Vadakara returned KK Rema (UDF) with 70,117 votes and a margin of 14,862.

Perambra marked a milestone for IUML as Fathima Thahliya (IUML/UDF) became its first woman MLA, securing 81,429 votes with a margin of 5,087.

In Chirayinkeezhu, Ramya Haridas (UDF) won with 56,833 votes by a narrow margin of 1,42.

Mananthavady saw Usha Vijayan (UDF) secure 77,425 votes with a margin of 10,543.

Kongad went to Thulasi Teacher (UDF), who won with 62,734 votes and a margin of 3,706.

Attingal was won by OS Ambika (LDF), who polled 59,163 votes with a margin of 13,375.

Key constituency contests and party-level women representation

In Peravoor, Sunny Joseph (UDF) secured 76,140 votes, winning by a margin of 14,453. K K Shailaja (LDF) polled 61,687 votes, while Paily Vathyatt (NDA) secured 8,020 votes.

Vattiyoorkavu saw K Muraleedharan (UDF) win with 48,101 votes and a margin of 5,420. V K Prasanth (LDF) polled 42,681 votes, while R Sreelekha (NDA) secured 37,038 votes.

In Kasaragod, Kallatra Mayin (UDF) won with 76,396 votes and a margin of 22,698. M L Ashwini (NDA) polled 53,698 votes and Shanavas Padhoor (LDF) secured 36,678 votes.

Palakkad returned Ramesh Pisharody (UDF) with 62,199 votes and a margin of 13,147. Sobha Surendran (NDA) polled 49,052 votes and N M R Razack (LDF) secured 33,931 votes.

What the numbers show on women’s representation in Kerala

Party-level data shows women candidates remain a minority across the main alliances in the 2026 Kerala Assembly election.

The LDF has fielded around 18 women candidates out of 140 seats, including 12 from CPM, five from CPI and one from KCM.

The UDF has named around 12 women candidates, with the Congress giving nine women tickets out of 92. IUML has fielded two women candidates, while RMPI has one.

The NDA has also fielded around 18 women candidates, with several contests placed in seats described in source data as difficult to win.

Historical data shows women’s representation in the Kerala Assembly has rarely crossed 10 per cent since 1957. In the outgoing Assembly, it stood at about 8 per cent. Lok Sabha representation figures for parties in recent elections also show low numbers, including instances where only a small fraction of tickets went to women.

Civil society groups continue to seek 33 per cent reservation for women, arguing that representation has remained episodic rather than systematic, with party selection often linked to electoral viability considerations.