Muvattupuzha election result 2026: Dr. Mathew Kuzhalnadan registers big win

In a largely one-sided contest, Dr. Mathew Kuzhalnadan has won comfortably with a margin exceeding 42,000 votes, leaving CPI and other candidates trailing significantly.Muvattupuzha Assembly constituency, numbered 86, straddles Ernakulam and Idukki districts in Kerala, falling under the Idukki parliamentary constituency. Established in 1957 and refined in the 2008 delimitation, it covers Muvattupuzha municipality, nearby panchayats like Neriamangalam and Vazhithala, with around 187,000 electors. This semi-urban general seat blends rubber-paddy farming, Christian communities, small industries, and tourism along the riverine valley. INC of the United Democratic Front (UDF) reclaimed control in 2021, with Mathew Kuzhalnadan as current MLA. He won with 64,425 votes (44.63per cent), defeating CPI's Eldho Abraham (58,264 votes) by 6,161 votes (4.27per cent) at 73.53per cent turnout—reversing CPI's 2016 victory (9,375 margin). UDF edges prevail amid LDF surges and Twenty20/BJP's 9-10per cent shares. Key issues include crop losses from erratic rains, rural flooding, poor roads to hill stations, youth unemployment despite remittances, water shortages, healthcare gaps, and eco-concerns over quarrying. These sustain tight UDF-LDF battles in this vibrant midlands hub.