An election petition has been moved by CPI(M) leader and former Minister for Co-Operation, Tourism, and Devaswom Kadakampally Surendran challenging the victory of BJP MLA and former Union minister V. Muraleedharan from Thiruvananthapuram's Kazhakoottam constituency.

In the 2026 Assembly elections, the BJP had won three seats, in the Kazhakoottam, Nemom and Chathannur constituencies. Presently, another election petition has been filed challenging Rajeev Chandrasekhar's win from Nemom also.

The election of Muraleedharan is challeged and sought to be declared void on allegations of corrupt practice.

Today, when the case came before Justice Harisankar V. Menon, Senior Advocate T. Krishnanunni appearing for Surendran sought permission to answer the defects noted by the Register.

Accordingly, the case was posted to Tuesday (August 4) granting permission to file statement.

MLA Muraleedharan emerged as the victorious candidate in Kazhakoottam by defeating Surendran by a margin of only 428 votes. Muraleedharan secured 46,564 whereas Surendran secured 46,136 votes.

A total of 7 candidates contested in the constituency, including T. Sarathchandra Prasad (37,283 votes), T.S. Rajan (298 votes), Deebika Karimanal (260 votes), K. Surendran (97 votes) and Sreekant Nair V. (68 votes). They have also been made party to the election petition.

The petition is moved by Senior Advocate T. Krishnanunni, Advocates Vinod Ravindranath, Meena A., M.R. Mini, Anish Antony Anathazhath, Thareeq Anver, Nivedhitha Prem V., Ananthakrishnan A. Kartha, Mariya Joseph, Ameera Jojo, and Stephen V. Thomas.

Case No: Filing No. El.Pet. 8/ 2026

Case Title: Kadakampally Surendran v. V. Muraleedharan and Ors.