Political News

Former KPCC General Secretary M. J. Job joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on March 17, 2026, after resigning from the Congress over the UDF’s decision to support former CPM leader G. Sudhakaran’s independent candidature in Ambalappuzha. Job alleged that the decision to back Sudhakaran had been taken by the Congress central leadership without adequate consultation with the state unit. Job, who has also held senior positions in the Youth Congress and KSU, was formally welcomed into the BJP by state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar. His move attracted attention in Alappuzha politics because it came amid disagreements within the Congress over its election strategy in Ambalappuzha and represented a significant defection of a senior district-level Congress leader.

Reji Cheriyan, the Kerala Congress MLA from Kuttanad in Alappuzha district, has emerged as the wealthiest member of Kerala’s 2026 Legislative Assembly based on declared election-affidavit assets. His affidavit lists total assets of about ₹218.96 crore, placing him ahead of other elected MLAs in the state. A large share of Cheriyan’s wealth comes from commercial and residential properties, including commercial buildings valued at around ₹200 crore. His declared movable assets also include substantial bank deposits, vehicles and watercraft connected to his business interests in Kerala’s tourism and hospitality sector. Reports based on his affidavit mention Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover vehicles, houseboats, a motorboat and jet skis among his holdings.

The Champakulam Moolam Boat Race in Alappuzha was held without a local holiday in Kuttanad, despite a request from Kuttanad MLA Reji Cheriyan. The MLA had asked the Kerala government to declare a holiday for the traditional event, which marks the beginning of the state’s boat-racing season and is an important cultural celebration in the region. The issue became controversial after Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan, who had said in the Assembly that the request would be considered, was reportedly heard on an open microphone saying that the holiday would not be granted. The comment drew political attention and disappointed local residents and representatives, though the boat race celebrations continued as scheduled.

Congress youth leader A.D. Thomas secured a major victory in the 2026 Kerala Assembly election, winning the Alappuzha constituency by a margin of 21,015 votes. He defeated sitting CPI(M) MLA P.P. Chitharanjan, bringing an end to the Left Democratic Front’s 15-year hold on the seat. Thomas received 81,065 votes, while Chitharanjan secured 60,050 votes. The 30-year-old Congress leader, who rose through student politics and served as a KSU district president, became one of the youngest members elected to the new Kerala Legislative Assembly.

In a notable political development in Chennam Pallippuram Grama Panchayat, Alappuzha, the Congress-led UDF moved a no-confidence motion against BJP panchayat president V. Vineetha, and the motion passed with support from LDF members. In the 19-member panchayat, the BJP and UDF each have seven members, while the LDF has five. The motion received 12 votes in favour, leading to the removal of the BJP-led administration. The BJP had originally secured the president’s post after the 2025 local-body elections through a draw of lots because no front had a clear majority. Congress members said the no-confidence motion was prompted by dissatisfaction with the administration and unresolved local development issues, while the BJP rejected those allegations.