By Mukesh 
When V.D. Satheesan was chosen as Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly in 2021, it was seen as an experiment by the Congress-led UDF to revive its fortunes ahead of the 2026 elections.
Challenging a deeply entrenched Marxist leader like Pinarayi Vijayan, who is in his second term as CM, was considered by many analysts a herculean task for a politician who had risen through the ranks of Congress via student politics.
However, what Kerala witnessed was the phenomenal rise of a fiery strategist who led the UDF to victories in several by-elections, the Lok Sabha elections, and later in local body polls.
As the State prepares to elect its new government on April 9, the question is whether Mr. Satheesan will be able to replicate this success across the State, as well as in his own constituency, Paravur, where he faces a formidable opponent.
LDF candidate E.T. Taison, Master of the CPI, said he will defeat the potential chief ministerial face of the UDF on his home turf.
– PTI