Lok Sabha Polls: From Rahul Gandhi To V Muraleedharan — 5 Key Contenders In Kerala

Lok Sabha Poll Results 2024: Kerala's elections feature intense battles between Left Democratic Front (LDF) and United Democratic Front (UDF), and NDA attempting to make inroads.

Rahul Gandhi, V Muraleedharan and Shashi Tharoor are among the prominent candidates facing the election in Kerala

Lok Sabha Election Results 2024: Kerala, often referred to as "God's Own Country," is witnessing crucial electoral battles in several constituencies as it voted on April 26 to elect 20 members to the Lok Sabha. Traditionally, Kerala sees a bipolar contest between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by Left parties and the United Democratic Front (UDF) led by the Congress. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making significant efforts to carve out a space for itself in the state, raising the question: Can the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) finally open its account in Kerala?

From Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's reelection from Wayanad to Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar's challenge against MP Shashi Tharoor, major electoral battles have significantly shaped the political landscape in Kerala.

KK Shailaja (Vadakara)

KK Shailaja, affectionately known as "Shailaja Teacher," is the CPI(M) candidate for the Vadakara seat. Currently the sitting MLA from Mattanur and the party Chief Whip in the Assembly, Shailaja earned widespread acclaim during her tenure as Kerala's Health Minister. She was also known for her efficient way of tackling Nipah outbreak and COVID-19 pandemic in the first Pinarayi Vijayan government.

Against this backdrop, the CPI(M) aiming to reclaim Vadakara, a traditional Communist stronghold that shifted allegiance to the Congress in 2009 following the formation of the Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP), a breakaway faction of the CPI(M), is pitching on the popularity of Shailaja teacher. Shailaja faces Shafi Parambil, the incumbent MLA from Palakkad, in a crucial contest to regain the lost bastion.

Rahul Gandhi (Wayanad)

The Congress has once again fielded senior leader Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad. Gandhi, who debuted in politics from Amethi in 2004 and won the seat thrice, faced defeat at the hands of BJP's Smriti Irani in 2019.

However, he secured a Lok Sabha seat from Wayanad in the same election achieving a remarkable 64.8% vote share. This election, Gandhi is up against CPI's senior leader Annie Raja and BJP's state president K Surendran. Wayanad, much like Rae Bareli, has been a stronghold for the Congress party, making this a critical battle for Gandhi.

Anil Anthony (Pathanamthitta)

The BJP has fielded Anil Anthony, son of veteran Congress leader and former Union Defense Minister AK Antony, from Pathanamthitta. Anil Anthony's switch to the BJP in 2023 caused a stir particularly as his father publicly opposed his decision to leave the Congress, a party he had served for decades.

Anil will compete against Congress candidate and sitting MP Anto Antony, who has held the Pathanamthitta seat since 2009. AK Antony has controversially stated that his son Anil should be defeated.

Shashi Tharoor (Thiruvananthapuram)

Shashi Tharoor, a former UN diplomat and three-time MP, is seeking re-election from Thiruvananthapuram. Known for his strong educational background and international experience, Tharoor secured a hat-trick victory in 2019 with 416,131 votes.

This time, he faces a formidable challenge from BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a minister in the outgoing Narendra Modi government. The contest is also a notable battle between two members of the Nair community, the second-largest Hindu group in Kerala.

V Muraleedharan (Attingal)

V Muraleedharan, the Union Minister of State for External Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs, is contesting from Attingal. Known for his close connections with central power echelons, Muraleedharan has received strong backing, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar campaigning for him.

Muraleedharan's campaign has also been bolstered by students from Kerala who were rescued from Ukraine in 2022, highlighting his active role in crisis management.