Perinthalmanna election results 2026: IUML’s Najeeb Kanthapuram wins with 1,04,888 votes

PERINTHALMANNA: IUML’s Najeeb Kanthapuram wins Perinthalmanna seat in 2026 with 1,04,888 votesSituated in Kerala's Malappuram district, the Perinthalmanna Assembly constituency stands as the 38th seat in the state's 140-member legislative assembly, forming a crucial part of the Malappuram Lok Sabha segment. Known for its vibrant political contests, it attracts over 200,000 voters from diverse communities, including significant Muslim populations, driving high turnouts exceeding 74per cent in recent elections. Encompassing Perinthalmanna Municipality and nearby panchayats, this general seat mirrors the intense UDF-LDF rivalry typical of north Kerala politics. In the 2021 Kerala Assembly polls, IUML's Najeeb Kanthapuram emerged victorious with 76,530 votes, securing 46.2per cent of the share against a strong Left challenge, clinching a narrow margin amid heightened competition from 215,000 electors. The 2016 election saw IUML's K.P. Najeeb also prevail with around 68,000 votes (44.5per cent), defeating CPI(M)-backed candidates by over 10,000 votes from nearly 190,000 voters, underscoring the seat's razor-thin margins and IUML's resilient hold despite LDF inroads. As 2026 approaches, Perinthalmanna remains a high-stakes arena where IUML's organizational prowess faces LDF's aggressive pushes on development and welfare issues. Local dynamics, including minority consolidation and urban growth, will define the next clash, keeping this UDF-leaning but contested turf under national gaze.