The Tripunithura Assembly constituency led the district in polling until the final rounds, eventually recording a voter turnout of 81.41% — the highest in the constituency’s recent electoral history.

Despite the confident claims of political fronts that the heavy polling favoured them, the three major alliances were forced to reassess their prospects in a constituency that witnessed an intense triangular contest among Deepak Joy of the United Democratic Front (UDF), K.N. Unnikrishnan of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), and Anjaly Nair of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Also read: Poll developments in States live updates on April 11, 2026

The perceived discontent among Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cadres over conceding the seat to Twenty20 — despite Tripunithura being the party’s biggest stronghold in the district and its control of the municipality — had prompted both the UDF and the LDF to trade charges of a “deal” with the BJP, possibly as a safeguard against such allegations once results are declared.

Ernakulam District Congress Committee president Mohammed Shiyas expressed confidence that the UDF would retain the seat, arguing that the alleged “deal” between the LDF and BJP leaderships had not materialised on the ground.

He said upper-class Hindu voters within the BJP’s support base were unlikely to have backed the CPI(M) candidate, citing discontent over the Sabarimala gold theft case and the perceived arrogance of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. “We could also create a fissure in the Ezhava vote, which traditionally went to the LDF, thanks to the work of K. Babu, who represented Tripunithura six times,” Mr. Shiyas said.

CPI(M) district secretary S. Satish was equally confident of victory, pointing to the absence of Mr. Babu in the fray as a significant factor. “Often it was his shrewd moves that left us undone in a constituency where we historically have a strong base. Babu and the BJP used to have a mutually beneficial understanding, as the BJP received help during local body polls and returned the favour during Assembly elections. If BJP votes are polled in favour of the NDA candidate, then we will win; else, it will clearly indicate vote trading between the BJP and the Congress,” he said.

BJP district city president K.S. Shaiju, also citing Mr. Babu’s absence as favourable, said he expected nothing short of a “miraculous win” for the NDA candidate. He claimed that initial confusion among cadres over conceding the seat to Twenty20 was resolved once the candidate was announced.

“She could sway women voters in her favour, which accounted for the heavy polling. A preliminary assessment of 22 booths showed women voters dominated, which can only benefit Anjaly Nair, the lone woman candidate. Ezhava votes will split between the UDF and LDF, while we will secure our share through alliance partner BDJS. There is also consolidation of lower castes behind the NDA, especially the Dheevara community, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to inaugurate the golden jubilee celebrations of the Akhila Kerala Dheevara Sabha in Kochi,” he observed.