In the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, IUML candidate Manjalamkuzhi Ali has secured a decisive victory in the Mankada constituency, polling 110,692 votes. He defeated Independent candidate Kunnath Mohamed in a closely watched contest.
Constituency Profile
Mankada is the 39th among Kerala's 140 legislative seats, located in the Malappuram district and forming part of the Malappuram Lok Sabha constituency. This general seat has approximately 200,000 voters, predominantly from Muslim-majority areas, and has recorded voter turnouts exceeding 77% in recent elections. The constituency includes grama panchayats such as Makkaraparamba, Kuruva, Puzhakkattiri, Angadippuram, and Moorkanad.
Historical Context
Mankada epitomizes the intense UDF-LDF rivalry in northern Kerala, where IUML's grassroots machinery thrives amid demographic advantages. In the 2021 elections, Manjalamkuzhi Ali won narrowly with 83,231 votes (49.46%), defeating CPI(M)'s T. K. Rasheedali by a slim margin of 1,508 votes out of 150,099 electors. The 2016 election saw Ali win with approximately 57,000 votes (47%), defeating his nearest rival by over 23,000 votes among 121,247 voters, cementing IUML's dominance despite LDF's persistent challenges.
2026 Election Dynamics
The 2026 results highlight IUML's enduring stronghold in Mankada since 1977, punctuated by narrow escapes in recent years. The campaign focused on minority solidarity and local development issues. With evolving alliances and intensified welfare pitches, this razor-edge battleground remains a key indicator of political trends in northern Kerala.
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