The political battle for Kerala 2026 is turning sharper with Shashi Tharoor taking direct aim at both rivals. Calling the Bharatiya Janata Party a “zero-seat party” in the state, Tharoor said the real contest lies between UDF and LDF. He accused the ruling Left of misgovernance over the past decade and claimed that Congress represents the only credible alternative. With a short campaign window announced by the Election Commission, Tharoor is leading efforts on the ground across Kerala’s 14 districts. He also expressed strong confidence in securing up to 100 seats. Highlighting economic concerns, he said Kerala has shifted from a “model state” to a “debt model.” As the campaign gathers pace, the big question is whether Congress can convert this aggressive pitch into electoral success.