Palakkad, April 6 -- Thrithala Assembly constituency in Palakkad district is once again emerging as one of Keralam's most closely watched political battlegrounds, with the 2026 election shaping up as a high-voltage rematch between CPI(M)'s MB Rajesh and Congress leader VT Balram, while BJP's V Unnikrishnan looks to play a crucial third-force role.

What makes this contest particularly compelling is the intense rivalry between Rajesh and Balram, which has already delivered a nail-biting finish in 2021. With a margin of just around 3,000 votes separating the two last time, the upcoming election carries the weight of unfinished business, political prestige, and a test of shifting voter loyalties in a constituency known for its unpredictabili...