Veena George

Incumbent MLA and Kerala Health Minister Veena George is seeking re-election from the Aranmula Assembly constituency in Pathanamthitta district, aiming for a third consecutive term in a seat she has steadily consolidated over the past decade.

Situated along the banks of the Pamba river, Aranmula is a mix of semi-urban pockets and rural settlements, and has emerged as a competitive constituency with shifting political loyalties in recent years.

George, who first won the seat in 2016 by a margin of 7,646 votes, significantly expanded her lead in 2021, securing victory by over 19,000 votes. In the last election, she polled 74,950 votes (46.5%), defeating Congress candidate K Sivadasan Nair, who secured 55,947 votes (34.7%). The BJP’s Biju Mathew finished third with around 18% of the vote share.

This time, she faces Congress candidate Abin Varkey Kodiyattu and senior BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan, setting up a triangular contest in the constituency.

George’s campaign is centred on development undertaken during her tenure, with a focus on infrastructure and public services. She has highlighted projects such as new bridges, hospital upgrades and improvements to school infrastructure, projecting her track record as the basis for seeking another mandate.

At the same time, George has been among the most prominent targets of the opposition over the past five years, second only to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, particularly over criticisms that Kerala’s health sector is under strain. She has described many of these attacks as “highly personal and painful”, but remains confident of retaining voter support.

Electoral trends in Aranmula reflect a closely contested political space. While the Congress led the constituency in 2011 with nearly 48% of the vote, the CPI(M) has since gained ground, consolidating its position in 2016 and 2021. The BJP, which saw a rise in 2016, experienced a dip in 2021, pointing to evolving voter preferences and a dynamic electoral landscape.

Candidate Info: Veena George is the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM) candidate contesting from Aranmula (General) Assembly constituency for the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections. This female candidate is 49 years of age, according to the election affidavit submitted to the Election Commission of India.