Three-Cornered Contest Heats Up in Key Kerala Seat
May 3, 2026: Rajan J Pallan is the Indian National Congress candidate from Thrissur in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, representing the United Democratic Front. A seasoned local leader, Pallan is contesting in a tight three-way battle against Alankode Leelakrishnan of the Left Democratic Front and Padmaja Venugopal of the National Democratic Alliance. Confident ahead of the polls, he has highlighted his strong grassroots connect and long experience in public life.
At 63, Pallan is a businessman with deep roots in local governance. He previously served as Mayor of the Thrissur Municipal Corporation and has been associated with the civic body since its early years, including as a councillor. His election affidavit lists assets worth around ₹2.67 crore, and his political journey reflects a steady rise through municipal leadership despite limited public information about his early life and education.
The Thrissur seat has seen closely fought contests over the years, shifting between Congress and the Left. While Congress held the seat earlier, the CPI regained it in 2016 and retained it in 2021, making it a key battleground. In the 2026 elections, Pallan is aiming to reclaim the constituency by focusing on civic issues such as traffic and waste management, with the outcome expected to be closely watched.