Nikesh, Achu, Karthik, Apu… Meet the ‘star children’ stepping into Kerala Assembly battle

The Kerala Legislative Assembly elections are fast approaching, and discussions are active across various quarters about who will contest from which constituency and which unexpected faces might emerge. A hot topic generating buzz is the possibility of children of senior political leaders contesting this time.

Among those reportedly entering the fray are M V Nikesh Kumar, son of CMP leader M V Raghavan; Apu John Joseph, son of Kerala Congress (Joseph) leader P J Joseph; Karthik Premchandran, son of Kollam MP N K Premchandran; and Congress leader Oommen Chandy’s daughters, Mariam and Achu Oommen, along with K Karunakaran’s daughter Padmaja Venugopal, who are being discussed for various constituencies.

Nikesh Kumar, a senior journalist and current member of the Kannur CPM district committee, contested in 2016 from Azhikode but lost to K M Shaji of the Muslim League. Reports now suggest he may contest from Thaliparamba this time.

Apu John Joseph is also likely to seek public support in this election. If P J Joseph does not contest in Thodupuzha, Apu is expected to be the candidate there. Currently the Kerala Congress (Joseph) state coordinator, he has stated he will contest if the party asks. If Joseph contests again in Thodupuzha, Apu may be considered in Idukki. Apu holds an engineering degree and has previously worked in Technopark and abroad.

Karthik Premchandran is also being discussed as a candidate, reportedly from the RSP’s Iravipuram seat, which the party has lost twice. Karthik, a teacher at TKM Engineering College, Kollam, has said in an interview that he is ready to contest if the party requests.

Following Oommen Chandy’s death, his son Chandy Oommen won the by-election in 2023 from Puthuppally with a record majority. This time, Congress is likely to field Chandy Oommen again in Puthuppally. Names of his sisters, Achu and Mariam, have also been floated in some constituencies such as Kanjirappally and Chengannur, though only one family member is expected to contest, as stated by Chandy recently.

Padmaja Venugopal, daughter of K Karunakaran, contested from Thrissur in the previous election representing Congress. She later joined BJP in 2024, and her name is again being considered mainly for Thrissur or another constituency in the district.

Kerala Congress(Jacob) will once again field Anoop Jacob from Piravom, following the death of his father T M Jacob, who first brought Anoop into the Assembly in 2012.

In Thiruvananthapuram, Congress is reportedly considering fielding K S Sabarinath, son of G Kartikeyan, either from Aruvikkara or Thiruvananthapuram constituency. Sabarinath first entered the Assembly in a 2012 by-election following his father’s death.

Within the CPM, discussions are reportedly underway to field V A Arunkumar, son of V S Achuthanandan, possibly from Malampuzha or Kayamkulam.

In Idukki’s Peermade constituency, CPM MLA Vazhoor Soman passed away in August 2025. His wife and children are being considered by the party as potential candidates. Internal party dynamics, including council members joining Congress and local election defeats, are influencing these decisions. The party centre is expected to finalise the Peermade candidate directly.