Star-studded ballot, humble verdict: Analysing celebrity performance in Kerala Assembly Elections

The recent Assembly elections witnessed a high-profile contest featuring prominent figures from the film and television industries. While all three major fronts fielded celebrities, the BJP-led NDA deployed the highest number of stars. The LDF fielded two celebrities, while the UDF placed one star candidate in the electoral fray.

Key contests and results

Palakkad: Winning debut for Pisharody

The most notable star candidate was Ramesh Pisharody, who contested on a UDF ticket in Palakkad. Facing off against BJP’s Sobha Surendran and Left-independent NMR Razak, Pisharody emerged victorious in his maiden electoral battle with a majority of 13,147 votes.

Thiruvananthapuram: Setback for Sudheer Karamana

The capital district saw two major celebrity candidates. In the Thiruvananthapuram constituency, actor Sudheer Karamana represented the LDF. He faced C.P. John (fielded by CMP for the UDF) and BJP’s Karamana Jayan. When the final results were declared, C.P. John secured victory with 45,586 votes, leaving Sudheer Karamana in second place with 35,723 votes.

Aruvikkara: Third Place for Vivek Gopan

In Aruvikkara, the BJP fielded actor Vivek Gopan. Competing against CPM’s G. Stephen and Congress’s V.S. Sivakumar, Vivek Gopan was relegated to the third position, securing 23,760 votes.

Aroor: Sitting MLA Dalima Jojo defeated

Aroor witnessed a fierce battle where sitting MLA and singer Daleema Jojo contested as the Left candidate. She was challenged by Shanimol Usman of the Congress and P.S. Jyothis of BDJS (NDA). In a significant turn of events, Shanimol Usman defeated Dalima by a margin of 9,324 votes.

Kollam and Ernakulam Districts

Kollam: Heavyweight Losses

Kollam district featured two celebrities. In Pathanapuram, the incumbent Transport Minister and actor K.B. Ganesh Kumar was defeated by Congress’s Jyothikumar Chamakkala by 8,310 votes. Meanwhile, in Kundara, Bigg Boss fame Robin Radhakrishnan, who contested as the BJP candidate, also faced defeat, managing to secure only 18,966 votes.

Ernakulam: Triple Presence

Celebrity presence was felt in three constituencies in Ernakulam, though all finished in third place:

• Thrikkakara: Actor, director, and Bigg Boss winner Akhil Marar (BJP) secured 21,424 votes.
• Tripunithura: Actress Anjali Nair (BJP) garnered 29,471 votes.
• Angamaly: Television star Promy Kuriakose (BJP) received 9,893 votes.