Congress rookie Abin Varkey Kodiyattu crushes Veena George in massive upset
In one of the biggest upsets of the Kerala Assembly Election 2026, Congress candidate Abin Varkey Kodiyattu pulled off a stunning victory in Aranmula, decisively defeating CPI(M)’s Veena George and flipping the seat.
What happened in Aranmula
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The Aranmula constituency in Pathanamthitta district delivered a dramatic result as Abin Varkey Kodiyattu secured 70,083 votes, while Veena George managed 51,098 votes. The final margin of 18,985 votes turned what was expected to be a tight contest into a clear and emphatic victory.
Aranmula had been a strong seat for Veena George, who had won comfortably in 2021 with a margin of over 19,000 votes. Her defeat in 2026 marks a sharp reversal and one of the most notable turnarounds in the state.
The loss also ends her tenure as MLA, making this result politically significant beyond just a constituency-level change.
The battle that changed everything
The contest quickly evolved into a fierce triangular fight:
- Abin Varkey Kodiyattu (Congress/UDF) — first-time candidate, projected as a fresh alternative
- Veena George (CPI(M)/LDF) — sitting MLA and senior leader
- Kummanam Rajasekharan (BJP/NDA) — veteran leader adding a third dimension
Despite the three-way race, Kodiyattu surged ahead early and maintained momentum through the counting process.
Why this result stands out
- A first-time candidate defeating an established leader by a large margin
- A seat that flipped despite a strong previous victory for the incumbent
- Clear consolidation of votes in favour of the Congress candidate
- Continued impact of triangular contests in Kerala politics
The Aranmula result strengthens the Congress-led UDF in central Kerala and signals shifting voter preferences in key constituencies. For the CPI(M)-led LDF, the defeat highlights challenges in retaining previously secure seats.
At the same time, the presence of the BJP continues to influence vote patterns, even without winning.
Published: 04 May 2026, 04:10 am IST
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