Adv Sunny Joseph

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph is seeking re-election from Peravoor, a constituency he has represented for three consecutive terms and built into a key Congress stronghold in Kannur district.

A seasoned politician and practising advocate — popularly known as 'Sunnychaayan' and 'Sunny Vakeel' — Joseph has cultivated a strong grassroots network since first winning the seat in 2011. In addition to leading the state unit of the Congress, he also serves as chairman of the UDF’s Kannur district committee, making him one of the party’s central organisational figures.

Balancing his statewide responsibilities with constituency demands, Joseph's campaign time in Peravoor has been limited. However, he has maintained that his consistent presence as MLA and his connect with voters continue to work in his favour.

He faces a formidable challenge from CPI(M) leader and former health minister KK Shailaja, who has been shifted from Mattannur to contest from Peravoor. While Shailaja has emphasised her personal ties to the region, Joseph remains confident, having defeated her in 2011 by a narrow margin of around 2,700 votes.

Peravoor, located in the politically sensitive Kannur district, has largely backed the Congress since 1977, with the exception of 2006-2011 when Shailaja won the seat. The constituency has a significant Christian population, particularly migrant farmers from the Travancore region, which has traditionally formed a key support base for the UDF.

However, Joseph’s margin of victory has seen fluctuations. While he won by over 7,000 votes in 2016, his lead narrowed considerably in 2021, when he edged past CPI(M)’s Sakeer Hussain by just over 3,000 votes, indicating a tightening contest.

As he seeks a fourth consecutive term, Joseph’s electoral strength and organisational experience will be tested against Shailaja’s statewide popularity in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched battles in northern Kerala.

Candidate Info: Adv. Sunny Joseph is the Indian National Congress (INC) candidate contesting from Peravoor (General) Assembly constituency for the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections. This male candidate is 73 years of age, according to the election affidavit submitted to the Election Commission of India.