Kerala Assembly Elections 2026 | Paravur voters back VD Satheesan to ensure thumping victory

Paravur (Kochi): People of Paravur coastal town near Kochi only have two concerns as Kerala opposition leader V D Satheesan seeks mandate for the sixth-time in a row in this assembly elections. Will the Congress leader become the next chief minister? Can he increase his victory margin to over 30,000?

Cutting across ages, the people of Paravur are quite excited for the upcoming election, which was quite evident from the large turnout of during Satheesan's campaign trail, that too under the scorching sun in the constituency that lies of the banks of the Periyar river and close to the Arabian sea.

An elderly couple waiting at their gate to greet Satheesan at Puthenvelikara in the peak noon hours could not hold their excitement. They blessed Satheesan. "He is our son. He will attain great heights," the elderly woman told DH.

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) local leaders and workers campaigning for Satheesan seems to be quite cautious in avoiding a campaign that Satheesan will be the next Chief Minister as he himself is against any discussion on CM candidate ahead of the polls.

But the voters can't hold their emotions. "Who else other than Satheesan should become the Chief Minister? He has been leading the UDF over the last five years and won all elections," says Kurumbathuruthu native Ponnan.

A group of youths having tea at Puthenvelikara bazar, who were shy to comment to the media about elections, too had swiftly responded to questions whether there are any adverse factors for Satheesan here. "It should be Satheesan only here. He is everything for us," they said.

With CPI fielding E T Taison Master, who is a sitting MLA of Kaipamangalam in adjacent Thrissur district, against Satheesan this time, a local sentiment in favour of Satheesan was also evident in Paravur now. "Why should we vote for any outsider while we have Satheesan who sees no politics in extending his services as a MLA?", said an voter who was waiting at Turuthoorpokkam for the arrival of Satheesan.

Despite holding the responsibility of the leader of opposition Satheesan remained closely connected to the constituency by making himself available whenever possible.

Satheesan's acceptance in the constituency is very well evident from the fact that his victory margin kept on increasing in all elections. While the victory margin was around 7,400 in 2001, it reached 21,301 in 2021.