Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, V.D. Satheesan, has been identified as the favored candidate for the Chief Minister’s position in Kerala ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, as per a pre-poll study by Vote Vibe. This shift in political sentiment comes as current Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan aims for a third consecutive term.
The study reveals that Satheesan leads the preference chart with 25.2% support, slightly ahead of Vijayan at 21.5%. This development, where an Opposition leader surpasses a two-term incumbent, indicates a growing desire for change among voters.
Despite Satheesan’s lead, the competition between the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) remains closely contested. The UDF stands at 38%, slightly trailing the LDF at 39.1%, emphasizing the tight electoral race ahead.
