Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi will start his election campaign in Kerala on March 25 with a large rally in Kozhikode. The campaign is expected to cover various important locations in the state in the lead-up to the April 9 polls where 140 legislators will be elected.
Following a remarkable performance in the December local body elections, the Congress-led UDF surprised the Left. However, the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and aiming for a third consecutive term, is gearing up for an intense battle. The BJP, despite lacking representation in the Assembly, is optimistic about establishing a presence in the upcoming elections.
The campaign committee chairman, Ramesh Chennithala, announced that the rally will take place at Kozhikode Beach in the evening on March 25. Rahul Gandhi is anticipated to delve into key election promises, including the UDF’s widely publicized guarantee card, while addressing a large gathering of party members and supporters.
Rahul Gandhi, a prominent campaigner for the Congress party and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, is scheduled for a busy itinerary covering multiple constituencies. The campaign is expected to witness active involvement from both national and state leadership, underscoring the significance the party places on the electoral contest in Kerala.
There is some uncertainty regarding Sonia Gandhi’s participation in the campaign this time. Her last campaign appearance was during the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll in October 2024, alongside Priyanka Gandhi. However, party sources suggest that her presence in the current campaign seems improbable.
On the other hand, Priyanka Gandhi is likely to embark on a statewide campaign tour similar to her previous efforts during the April 2024 Lok Sabha elections, providing further impetus to the Congress party’s campaign in Kerala. Notable leaders such as Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar from Karnataka, along with Telangana CM A. Revanth Reddy, are also expected to campaign in the state.
Senior national figures, including Sachin Pilot, are poised to join the campaign, indicating a united effort by the Congress leadership in the run-up to the polls.
