Thiruvananthapuram | Before falling silent at 6 pm on Tuesday, the streets across many Assembly constituencies in Kerala came alive, with supporters of different parties turning out in large numbers to campaign for their candidates in the Assembly polls.
In a final show of strength as campaigning for the April 9 polls came to an end, roadshows, rallies, and processions filled town centres, with party flags waving, drums beating, slogans rising, and groups of workers moving in an almost dance-like rhythm, creating a colourful and energetic atmosphere.
In some places, candidates even climbed onto cranes and were lifted above the crowds, waving to supporters in a dramatic final gesture aimed at boosting confidence ahead of the silence period.
Workers from all parties converged at designated centres, with loud music from campaign vehicles clashing with that of their rivals.
A total of 2.71 crore voters -- 1.32 crore men, 1.39 crore women and 273 transgender persons, along with over 2.42 lakh overseas voters -- are eligible to cast their votes, as the election decides the fate of 883 candidates contesting for 140 seats, according to the Election Commission.
The contest is mainly among three fronts in the polls -- the CPI(M)-led LDF, the Congress-led UDF and the BJP-led NDA.
During the nearly month-long campaign, top leaders flew in repeatedly from New Delhi -- including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for the NDA, alongside Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for the UDF --while Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan led from the front for the ruling LDF.
Apart from the usual door-to-door canvassing and public meetings, parties made full use of television, newspapers and social media to reach voters. Campaign videos, targeted messages and online debates became common.
A clear trend this time was candidates trying to connect with younger voters through influencers and podcasts, showing how election campaigns in the state are changing.
There was also experimentation in campaign styles.
Congress leader Chandy Oommen, contesting from Puthuppally, avoided the usual flex boards and banners. Instead, he chose to cycle through the constituency and meet people directly, a move that drew attention even from national leaders like Rahul Gandhi.
In Palakkad, Congress leader Ramesh Pisharody tried a different approach by using robots for wall writing, reflecting how technology is slowly entering local campaigns.
National leaders from the BJP, Congress and the CPI(M) visited the state frequently, addressing rallies not just in major constituencies but also in smaller and remote areas. This marked a shift from earlier elections, when such high-profile campaigning was mostly limited to key seats.
The campaign, however, was not just about outreach. It also saw intense political attacks.
The Congress tried to build a narrative of an alleged understanding between the BJP and the CPI(M), while also accusing the LDF of having links with the SDPI. It raised issues of corruption and governance against the state government.
The LDF strongly rejected these claims and instead focused on its development record. It highlighted infrastructure projects and welfare schemes, contrasting them with what it described as the failures of previous Congress-led governments.
The CPI(M) also criticised the Congress over the delay in constructing houses for victims of the 2024 Wayanad landslide and questioned how funds collected for rehabilitation were being used.
In response, the Congress pointed to defections of several CPI(M) leaders, alleging internal divisions within the Left and accusing Chief Minister Vijayan of running the government in an "autocratic manner".
The BJP, on its part, focused on attacking both the LDF and the UDF.
It argued that Kerala had not seen meaningful development under either front and presented itself as an alternative.
Prime Minister Modi and other central leaders campaigned extensively, especially after the party's improved performance in recent local body elections, including winning the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
Several key issues dominated the campaign. The Sabarimala temple row returned to the spotlight after the Supreme Court sought the state's stand on women's entry.
The BJP promised that if voted to power, it would hand over related investigations into the Sabarimala gold loss case to the CBI and ensure action within a fixed time frame. It also promised to make an AIIMS hospital operational in the state within two years.
The campaign also saw the use of all kinds of platforms, including digital tools and even artificial intelligence.
Political advertisements reached a new level, with all three fronts -- UDF, LDF and NDA -- placing multiple full-page ads in newspapers, something not commonly seen in earlier elections.
Some unusual visuals also caught public attention.
In Nemom, the presence of Aghori sadhus was widely discussed, with some portraying it as a campaign strategy. At the same time, the role of film stars was less visible compared to previous elections, even though a few actors were in the fray.
