In the Irikkur constituency of Kerala, the Congress candidate Adv. Sajeev Joseph secured a decisive victory, defeating Kerala Congress (M)’s Adv. Mathew Kunnappally by a margin of over 42,426 votes. The Congress candidate garnered a total of 90,895 votes, while the runner-up trailed significantly.
Constituency Profile
Irikkur, located in the Kannur district, is characterized by its hilly terrain and agricultural settlements. The constituency has approximately 2 lakh voters. Historically, the seat has been a competitive battleground between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF). In the 2021 elections, the CPI(M) candidate Sajeev Joseph had won narrowly over the UDF rival, highlighting the closely fought nature of the constituency. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has yet to establish significant influence in this region.
Election 2026 Context
The 2026 elections have seen significant shifts across several states. In Tamil Nadu, Vijay’s TVK party has emerged as a formidable force, pushing both the DMK and AIADMK to the margins. In West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee is trailing behind Suvendu Adhikari after the second round in Bhabanipur, while the BJP may oust the Trinamool Congress from power. Meanwhile, the BJP is expected to retain Assam. The Congress victory in Irikkur underscores the party’s continued strength in certain pockets of Kerala, despite the broader national trends.
