Pala: The high-stakes contest in Pala assembly seat, long considered a fortress of Kerala Congress (M), is shaping into a tightly fought battle ahead of the April 9 Assembly elections, with a latest pre-poll survey indicating a slight advantage for the UDF.

According to a survey by Citizens Opinion Research and Evaluation (CORE) for Mathrubhumi, the UDF is leading in the constituency with 41.01 per cent vote share, followed by the LDF at 37.82 per cent and the BJP-led NDA at 21.17 per cent. The UDF currently holds a lead of 3.19 percentage points.

The constituency is witnessing a crucial showdown involving Jose K. Mani of the LDF, sitting MLA Mani C. Kappan representing the UDF, and NDA candidate Shone George.

Legacy vs survival battle

Pala has historically been dominated by KC(M) under the late K. M. Mani for over five decades. However, the 2019 bypoll altered the political landscape when Kappan defeated Jose K. Mani, ending the party’s long-standing hold over the seat.

For Jose K. Mani, the 2026 election is a critical test to reclaim the party’s lost turf and reassert his leadership in central Travancore. Backed by the LDF, his campaign is focused on consolidating traditional KC(M) voters.

Tight three-way contest

The survey underscores a triangular contest, with the NDA attempting to expand its footprint in the constituency. While the BJP remains in third position, its vote share suggests it could influence the final outcome by splitting votes.

Voter dynamics

Pala had over 1.84 lakh voters in the last Assembly election, with a high turnout of 74.82 per cent, reflecting strong political engagement. In 2021, Kappan secured 50.43 per cent of the votes, defeating Jose K. Mani by over 15,000 votes, while the BJP candidate trailed with under 8 per cent.