In a significant political development, Rajeev Chandrasekhar of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged victorious in the Nemom constituency during the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections. Chandrasekhar, who serves as the Kerala BJP president, secured the seat with a total of 48,995 votes, accounting for a 40.35 percent vote share.
NDA's Strongest Performance in Kerala
This win represents the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) most robust performance across Kerala in this election cycle. The victory is particularly notable as it reclaims the Thiruvananthapuram constituency for the party after a hiatus of ten years, underscoring a strategic success for the BJP in a state traditionally dominated by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and United Democratic Front (UDF).
The Significance of Nemom
Nemom, located on the southern fringes of Thiruvananthapuram, holds a unique place in Kerala's political landscape. It was here, in May 2016, that former Union Minister O. Rajagopal made history by becoming the first-ever BJP Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) elected to the Kerala assembly. This landmark event permanently altered perceptions of the seat and forced rivals to take the BJP's presence in the region more seriously.
A History of Close Contests
The constituency has a history of tight electoral battles. In the 2021 elections, the LDF managed to reclaim Nemom, with CPI(M)'s V. Sivankutty winning by a narrow margin of 3,949 votes against BJP's Kummanam Rajasekharan. K. Muraleedharan of the Congress finished third in what was a genuine three-way contest, highlighting the competitive nature of the seat.
The 2026 Battle and Chandrasekhar's Strategy
The 2026 contest once again featured three credible candidates: the incumbent MLA V. Sivankutty defending for the LDF, K.S. Sabarinadhan representing the UDF on a Congress ticket, and Rajeev Chandrasekhar leading the BJP's charge. Chandrasekhar's win demonstrates the party's sustained efforts to restore its foothold in a constituency it has long considered winnable.
Why Nemom Stands Apart
Nemom's electorate is characterized by its social mix, comprising a Hindu majority alongside significant Christian and Muslim communities. Local civic issues, such as water shortages, traffic congestion, poor road conditions, and drainage failures, often become central to political discourse and voter accountability. The BJP's gradual rise in Nemom is attributed to consistent groundwork and localized organization over many years, with leaders expected to maintain a visible presence between election cycles. Familiarity and sustained engagement, rather than last-minute campaigning, often prove decisive in this constituency.