Mood of the State survey: Who is the best choice for next Chief Minister of Kerala?
As Kerala prepares for the 2026 Assembly elections, the Mathrubhumi-CORE Mood of the State survey offers deep insight into the dynamics that could shape the political landscape of the state in the weeks to come. The survey, which analysed 28,432 samples across the state, specifically asked respondents: "Who do you wish to see as the next Chief Minister of Kerala, and whom do you support?"
Overall State Standing
- Pinarayi Vijayan: 27.85%
- V D Satheesan: 27.77%
- K K Shailaja: 12.11%
- Ramesh Chennithala: 9.13%
- Rajeev Chandrasekhar: 5.81%
- K Surendran: 1.54%
- V Muraleedharan: 0.94%
- K C Venugopal: 0.82%
- M V Govindan: 0.39%
- Others: 13.61%
Regional Breakdown
North Kerala (60 Assembly Constituencies):
- Pinarayi Vijayan: 31.85%
- V D Satheesan: 27.31%
- K K Shailaja: 11.37%
- Ramesh Chennithala: 8.32%
- Rajeev Chandrasekhar: 4.76%
- K Surendran: 1.94%
- V Muraleedharan: 0.98%
- K C Venugopal: 0.29%
- M V Govindan: 0.23%
- Others: 12.95%
Central Kerala (40 Assembly Constituencies):
- V D Satheesan: 32.29%
- Pinarayi Vijayan: 20.90%
- K K Shailaja: 16.16%
- Ramesh Chennithala: 9.81%
- Rajeev Chandrasekhar: 4.21%
- K Surendran: 1.19%
- K C Venugopal: 0.94%
- M V Govindan: 0.70%
- V Muraleedharan: 0.51%
- Others: 13.29%
South Kerala (40 Assembly Constituencies):
- Pinarayi Vijayan: 27.55%
- V D Satheesan: 23.56%
- Ramesh Chennithala: 9.99%
- Rajeev Chandrasekhar: 9.44%
- K K Shailaja: 9.42%
- K C Venugopal: 1.68%
- V Muraleedharan: 1.30%
- K Surendran: 1.15%
- M V Govindan: 0.36%
- Others: 15.55%
Gender-wise preference
Women:
- V D Satheesan: 26.68%
- Pinarayi Vijayan: 26.60%
- K K Shailaja: 13.84%
- Ramesh Chennithala: 9.50%
- Rajeev Chandrasekhar: 5.47%
- K Surendran: 1.40%
- V Muraleedharan: 0.96%
- K C Venugopal: 0.87%
- M V Govindan: 0.42%
- Others: 14.26%
Men:
- Pinarayi Vijayan: 28.93%
- V D Satheesan: 28.55%
- K K Shailaja: 10.59%
- Ramesh Chennithala: 8.85%
- Rajeev Chandrasekhar: 6.17%
- K Surendran: 1.67%
- V Muraleedharan: 0.91%
- K C Venugopal: 0.79%
- M V Govindan: 0.36%
- Others: 13.18%
Community-wise preference
Hindu:
- Pinarayi Vijayan: 32.48%
- V D Satheesan: 20.36%
- K K Shailaja: 12.65%
- Rajeev Chandrasekhar: 8.76%
- Ramesh Chennithala: 7.43%
- K Surendran: 2.24%
- V Muraleedharan: 0.94%
- K C Venugopal: 0.63%
- M V Govindan: 0.25%
- Others: 14.26%
Christian:
- V D Satheesan: 34.66%
- Pinarayi Vijayan: 21.05%
- K K Shailaja: 13.20%
- Ramesh Chennithala: 11.16%
- Rajeev Chandrasekhar: 2.51%
- K C Venugopal: 1.62%
- V Muraleedharan: 1.30%
- M V Govindan: 0.83%
- K Surendran: 0.79%
- Others: 12.88%
Muslim:
- V D Satheesan: 38.76%
- Pinarayi Vijayan: 22.43%
- Ramesh Chennithala: 11.53%
- K K Shailaja: 10.30%
- Rajeev Chandrasekhar: 1.76%
- K C Venugopal: 0.70%
- V Muraleedharan: 0.70%
- K Surendran: 0.54%
- M V Govindan: 0.39%
- Others: 12.89%
Gen Z voters (The youth pulse)
- Pinarayi Vijayan: 29.13%
- V D Satheesan: 29.04%
- K K Shailaja: 12.93%
- Ramesh Chennithala: 7.25%
- Rajeev Chandrasekhar: 4.52%
- K Surendran: 1.07%
- K C Venugopal: 0.85%
- V Muraleedharan: 0.54%
- M V Govindan: 0.36%
- Others: 14.31%