Rahul Gandhi to Kick Off Kerala Poll Campaign with Mega Kozhikode Rally

Thiruvananthapuram, March 2026 : The Congress party is set to launch an aggressive and high-voltage election campaign in Kerala, with Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi scheduled to address a massive rally in Kozhikode on March 25. The event, to be held at Kozhikode Beach, will mark the formal beginning of the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) statewide outreach ahead of the Assembly elections slated for April 9.

Announcing the campaign schedule, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said the rally is expected to draw a huge crowd of party workers and supporters. Rahul Gandhi, the party’s principal campaigner, is likely to outline key promises, including the much-discussed UDF “guarantee card,” which is expected to form the backbone of the alliance’s electoral pitch.

The Congress-led UDF enters the contest with renewed confidence after its strong performance in the December local body elections, where it managed to outpace the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF). However, the battle is expected to be intense, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan leading the CPI(M)-headed LDF in a determined bid for a historic third consecutive term in office.

At the same time, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which currently has no representation in the Kerala Assembly, is aiming to expand its footprint and make electoral gains in the state. This triangular contest is likely to make the upcoming polls one of the most closely watched political battles in the country.

Rahul Gandhi’s campaign tour is expected to be extensive, covering multiple constituencies across Kerala. The party is mobilising both national and state-level leaders, highlighting the strategic importance it places on the state elections.

While there is speculation over the participation of Sonia Gandhi, party sources suggest that her presence on the campaign trail this time is uncertain. Her last appearance during the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll in October 2024 had marked a rare return to active campaigning after nearly a decade.

Meanwhile, Priyanka Gandhi is expected to play a key role, likely undertaking a statewide tour similar to her campaign during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Her presence is anticipated to energise party cadres and boost voter outreach.

Other prominent leaders, including Siddaramaiah, D. K. Shivakumar, A. Revanth Reddy, and Sachin Pilot, are also expected to campaign in the state, signalling a coordinated and high-stakes push by the Congress leadership in Kerala.