'Tharoor For CM': Survey Finds Congress Leader Is Kerala's Choice For Top Post Among UDF Candidates

A pre-election survey in Kerala indicates Shashi Tharoor is the frontrunner for Chief Minister, with 28.3% voter support, signaling potential UDF gains due to anti-incumbency.

The survey revealed that Tharoor enjoys the highest preference among potential chief ministerial candidates, with 28.3% of voters backing him.

Source : Facebook

A recent pre-election survey by Mumbai-based polling firm has placed senior Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor at the forefront of Kerala’s chief ministerial race. With the state heading into the 2026 Assembly polls, the findings suggest  growing voter support for Tharoor and also a wave of anti-incumbency sentiment that could favour the return of the United Democratic Front (UDF).

What Did The Survey Say?

The survey revealed that Tharoor enjoys the highest preference among potential chief ministerial candidates, with 28.3% of voters backing him. While this positions him as the leading face within the opposition camp, the poll also reflects a leadership crisis within the UDF — 27.1% of respondents were undecided about who should lead the alliance, underlining the absence of a clear, unified figure.

On the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) side, the numbers indicate deeper troubles. Former Health Minister KK Shailaja emerged as the most favoured among LDF leaders, securing 24.2% support, reported IANS. Sitting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan trailed behind significantly, garnering just 17.5%.

The overall results of the survey hint at a strong undercurrent of dissatisfaction with the current government and suggest the UDF is gaining momentum ahead of the next elections, reported Times of India.

Shashi Tharoor Shares On X, Congress Leader Downplays

The survey findings were swiftly amplified on social media. A post shared by a supporter on X (formerly Twitter) proclaimed: "@ShashiTharoor emerges as the best bet for chief ministerial choice for the 2026 Kerala polls for a faction-ridden UDF alliance, a recent survey reveals." Tharoor reposted the message, tagging key Congress figures such as Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, KC Venugopal, and VD Satheesan — an act seen by many as a subtle assertion of his relevance in the state’s political future.

 

Issues Between Shashi Tharoor & Congress High Command

Tharoor’s strained relationship with the party’s central leadership has been a matter of speculation ever since his decision to contest the Congress presidential election in 2022, challenging the establishment-backed Mallikarjun Kharge. The move was seen by many as a rare act of dissent within the party, and it has since cast a shadow over his equation with the high command.