Congress newcomer Ramesh Pisharody defeats BJP's Shobha Surendran by over 13,000 votes in Palakkad

Key facts

• Congress candidate Ramesh Pisharody won Palakkad with 62,199 votes.
• BJP's Shobha Surendran finished second with 49,052 votes, a margin of 13,147.
• CPM-backed independent NMR Razak placed third with 33,931 votes.
• Surendran led in early counting rounds before Pisharody overtook her mid-morning.
• Pisharody is a first-time entrant to electoral politics, previously known as an actor.
• The seat was previously held by Congress's Rahul Mamkootathil, who faced sexual harassment allegations.
• Palakkad has been a Congress stronghold since 2011, with Shafi Parambil winning three consecutive terms.

A tightly contested race turns decisively

Congress candidate Ramesh Pisharody, a first-time entrant to electoral politics and a well-known actor, has won the Palakkad Assembly seat, defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Shobha Surendran by 13,147 votes. The final tally, after 11 rounds of counting, saw Pisharody secure 62,199 votes against Surendran’s 49,052, with Left Democratic Front-backed independent NMR Razak trailing at 33,931. The result caps a dramatic counting day that saw early leads for Surendran, who had built a competitive edge in the initial rounds. By mid-morning, however, Pisharody had regained the lead, and the margin widened steadily in his favour as counting progressed. The shift reflected a broader trend of late momentum favouring the Congress candidate, whose campaign had focused on extensive ground mobilisation.

Pisharody’s victory speech stresses democratic respect

Reacting to the victory, Pisharody struck a grateful and measured tone. “This is not just a big win in Palakkad, but a significant win in Kerala. What makes democracy meaningful is respect for the people. They must always come first, and governance should reflect that,” he said, thanking voters and supporters for their backing. In a message shared on social media, he also acknowledged the role of party leadership, workers and well-wishers in securing the win. The victory builds on Congress’s recent momentum in Palakkad, a constituency that has shown a tendency to swing between parties. In the 2024 by-election triggered by Shafi Parambil’s resignation, Congress candidate Rahul Mamkootathil retained the seat with over 70% of the vote, reinforcing the party’s dominance. Pisharody’s win now extends that hold, underscoring the party’s organisational depth in the region.

Surendran’s strong campaign fails to break Congress hold

Shobha Surendran, one of the BJP’s most recognisable faces in Kerala and the party’s State General Secretary since July 2025, ran an aggressive campaign, drawing on her long association with Palakkad and her role in expanding the party’s vote base. The BJP sought to present a more coordinated front this time, addressing earlier internal factionalism. However, indications emerged that the NDA failed to consolidate its expected gains in key urban segments, including the municipality, where a dip in support was seen. Surendran first contested from Palakkad in the 2016 Assembly elections, finishing second behind Shafi Parambil with over 40,000 votes. In 2021, she contested from Kazhakkoottam and again finished second. Her consistent runner-up finishes highlight the BJP’s efforts to strengthen its presence in Kerala, even as Palakkad remains a Congress bastion. Born in Wadakkancherry into an Ezhava family, Surendran began her political journey in the BJP’s youth wing around 1995 and later served as State President of the Mahila Morcha from 2010 to 2016.

The numbers behind the swing

The counting process, spanning 11 rounds, saw sharp swings in the lead. After eight rounds, Pisharody led Surendran by 10,817 votes, a margin that widened to 13,147 by the final tally. The early rounds had favoured Surendran, but Pisharody’s lead grew steadily after mid-morning, with the margin fluctuating briefly before becoming decisive. Pisharody’s ground campaign, which included extensive roadshows and a strong booth-level network, proved crucial in converting outreach into votes, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas. The LDF’s Razak, while finishing a distant third, added complexity to the contest by consolidating traditional support bases and attempting to expand into minority-dominated pockets.

Palakkad’s electoral history and the shadow of allegations

The Palakkad constituency has remained a Congress stronghold over the past decade. Shafi Parambil won the seat in three consecutive elections in 2011, 2016, and 2021, maintaining a consistent hold for the party. The seat drew additional scrutiny this time because its previous representative, Rahul Mamkootathil, faced multiple sexual harassment allegations. Mamkootathil had won the 2024 by-election with over 70% of the vote, but the allegations cast a shadow over the party’s image in the constituency. Pisharody’s victory, therefore, represents not only a continuation of Congress dominance but also a reset for the party in Palakkad, as it moves past the controversy surrounding its former MLA.

Outlook: What the result means for Kerala politics

The Palakkad result, shaped by shifting leads and contrasting campaign strategies, ultimately turned on sustained ground mobilisation and late momentum. For the BJP, Surendran’s defeat, despite a competitive showing, underscores the challenge of breaking into a Congress bastion that has resisted the party’s advances for over a decade. The NDA’s failure to consolidate urban support suggests internal coordination issues that may need addressing. For the Congress, Pisharody’s win reinforces the party’s organisational strength in Palakkad and provides a boost ahead of future contests. The LDF’s third-place finish, with Razak trailing significantly, indicates that the Left front has yet to regain its footing in a constituency where it once held influence. As Kerala’s political landscape continues to evolve, Palakkad remains a bellwether for shifting alliances and voter sentiment.

The bottom line

• Ramesh Pisharody’s victory extends Congress’s hold on Palakkad, a seat it has held since 2011.
• Shobha Surendran’s third consecutive runner-up finish highlights the BJP’s persistent but unfulfilled ambitions in Kerala.
• The LDF’s NMR Razak finished a distant third, indicating the Left front’s diminished influence in the constituency.
• Pisharody’s ground campaign and late momentum were decisive in overcoming Surendran’s early lead.
• The result resets the political narrative in Palakkad after the sexual harassment allegations against former MLA Rahul Mamkootathil.