Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: Ruling Left Democratic Front Seeks Historic Hat-Trick Amid Challenges

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The political mercury is soaring high for the Kerala Assembly elections 2026. The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is racing to create a historic hat-trick by retaining power for the third consecutive term. The government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is seeking the blessings of the people by taking forward its social welfare schemes, especially the Rs 2,000 pension for the elderly and revolutionary decisions like free education till graduation. However, the break-up of the Left alliance after ticket distribution and the defection of senior leaders have added to the ruling party's worries, which the opposition wants to take advantage of. On the other hand, the Congress-inspired United Democratic Front (UDF), which has been in exile for the past decade, is in a mood for a change. Congress veteran Shashi Tharoor has hit out at the Left government, saying that the state's economy has become dependent only on lotteries, liquor and foreign remittances. Tharoor has claimed that the UDF is fed up with the electoral system now.