Political tensions rise in Kottayam as the LDF, UDF, and NDA announce their candidates for the Thrikkodithanam district panchayat byelection. Polling is set for September 28, 2026, alongside two other local body ward elections.
- Byelections for Thrikkodithanam district panchayat and two grama panchayat wards are scheduled for September 28, 2026.
- The LDF has fielded Manju Sujith, while the UDF has nominated Vijay Jose Marett and the NDA has chosen A. Manoj.
- The Thrikkodithanam seat became vacant after Vinu Jobb's election to the State Assembly.
Campaigning has reached a fever pitch in the Thrikkodithanam district panchayat division in Kerala following the official notification from the State Election Commission. The political landscape in Kottayam is currently dominated by the race for this seat, which became vacant after the sitting member, Vinu Jobb, secured a victory in the Changanassery Assembly seat during the recent general elections.
The Left Democratic Front (LDF) has taken a strategic early lead by swiftly announcing its candidate and organizing large-scale election conventions. The LDF has fielded Manju Sujith, a seasoned political figure who is a district committee member of the All India Democratic Women’s Association and a former district panchayat member. The campaign officially kicked off with a high-profile convention at Kunnumpuram, inaugurated by CPI(M) State secretariat member V.N. Vasavan.
Not far behind, the United Democratic Front (UDF) has entered the fray with Vijay Jose Marett, a State secretariat member of the Kerala Congress. His candidature was formally announced by party chairman P.J. Joseph, signaling the UDF's intent to reclaim the seat. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has fielded A. Manoj, a BJP State council member and an elected member of the Payippad grama panchayat, aiming to expand the alliance's footprint in the region.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that while these are local body elections, they serve as a critical barometer for the mood of the electorate in the Kottayam belt. The ability of the LDF to retain the seat versus the UDF's traditional strength in this region will provide key insights into the current political alignment of the rural voters. The involvement of high-ranking state leaders in a panchayat-level race underscores the symbolic importance of these byelections.
"Local body byelections in Kerala often mirror the shifting loyalties of the electorate, making them a microcosm of larger state-wide political trends."
Beyond Thrikkodithanam, the district is also preparing for byelections in two other local body wards: the first ward (Cheeramkulam) of the Meenadom grama panchayat and the 10th ward (Kumpanthanam) of the Pampady grama panchayat. These vacancies arose due to the unfortunate demise of UDF members Prasad Narayanan and Babu Mathew Danavunkal, respectively.
Administrative preparations are in full swing under the supervision of District Collector Chetan Kumar Meena, who serves as the returning officer for the district panchayat election. The electoral process will be based on the voters' list published on August 19, 2026. The timeline is tight: nominations close on September 10, scrutiny occurs on September 11, and the deadline for withdrawal is September 14.
| Front | Candidate | Affiliation/Background |
|---|---|---|
| LDF | Manju Sujith | AIDWA District Committee Member |
| UDF | Vijay Jose Marett | Kerala Congress State Secretariat |
| NDA | A. Manoj | BJP State Council Member |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the polling date for the Thrikkodithanam byelection?
The polling for the Thrikkodithanam district panchayat and other local body wards is scheduled for September 28, 2026.
Why was the Thrikkodithanam seat declared vacant?
The seat became vacant because the sitting member, Vinu Jobb, was elected to the State Assembly from the Changanassery constituency.
