Thiruvananthapuram: The Nemom Assembly constituency delivered one of the most closely watched results of the Kerala Assembly Election 2026, with Rajeev Chandrasekhar of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) securing victory in a tightly contested race. He defeated sitting MLA V. Sivankutty of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) by a margin of 4,978 votes.

Final results and vote margin

According to final counting data, Chandrasekhar polled 56,721 votes, while Sivankutty secured 51,743 votes. The result marks a key electoral gain for the BJP, which had no representation in the Kerala Legislative Assembly after the 2021 elections.

Nemom, located in Thiruvananthapuram, has remained a politically symbolic constituency over the past decade. It was the seat that enabled the BJP’s first-ever Assembly win in Kerala in 2016, before returning to the Left in 2021.

Nature of the contest

The 2026 election in Nemom was a triangular contest involving the BJP, the Left Democratic Front (LDF), and the United Democratic Front (UDF). Alongside Chandrasekhar and Sivankutty, Congress candidate K. S. Sabarinadhan was a significant contender, influencing overall vote distribution.

A total of 10 candidates contested from the constituency, including nominees from smaller parties and independents. However, the primary competition remained concentrated among the three major political fronts.

Counting trends and voter turnout

Initial counting rounds indicated a close contest, with leads shifting in early stages. As counting progressed, Chandrasekhar established a consistent lead, which widened enough to secure a clear victory by the final rounds.

The constituency recorded a voter turnout of approximately 78%, higher than the 69.8% turnout in 2021. The increased participation reflected heightened political interest in what was widely viewed as a prestige battle.

Political context of Nemom

Nemom has played a unique role in Kerala’s electoral history:

  • In 2016, the BJP opened its account in the state by winning this seat.
  • In 2021, the LDF reclaimed the constituency, removing BJP representation from the Assembly.
  • In 2026, the seat once again became a focal point due to the high-profile candidates and broader political implications.

The contest also carried additional weight as Chandrasekhar is the BJP’s Kerala state president, while Sivankutty is a senior CPI(M) leader and sitting minister.

Broader political implications

The result is significant in the context of Kerala’s traditionally bipolar political system dominated by the LDF and UDF. The BJP’s victory in Nemom indicates its ability to remain competitive in select constituencies, particularly in urban and semi-urban regions.

At the same time, the outcome reflects the impact of triangular contests, where shifts in vote share among three major fronts can alter results. The presence of a competitive third force has contributed to more fragmented electoral outcomes in constituencies like Nemom.

Limits of expansion

Despite this win, the BJP’s presence in Kerala remains limited in terms of overall seat share and geographic spread. Its electoral success continues to be concentrated in a few pockets rather than across the state.

The Nemom result, therefore, highlights both an expansion in electoral competitiveness and the constraints the party still faces in establishing a broader base.

The 2026 Nemom result stands as a politically important outcome within Kerala’s evolving electoral landscape. It reflects changing dynamics in specific constituencies while also underlining the continued dominance of established alliances at the state level.