Just days before the crucial Kerala Assembly elections, the Congress party has announced its list of star campaigners, setting the stage for an intense political showdown in the state.

The list features top national leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. Also included are party General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal and MPs Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Shashi Tharoor.

The campaign will also see participation from key regional leaders such as Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, indicating a strong push by the party to consolidate its presence in the southern state.

In the 140-member Kerala Assembly, Congress will contest 92 seats as part of the United Democratic Front (UDF) alliance. The party has also extended support to rebel leaders in three constituencies who have parted ways with the ruling Left front led by CPI(M), signalling strategic adjustments ahead of the polls.

Alliance partners have also been allocated seats, with the Indian Union Muslim League set to contest 27 constituencies, while the PJ Joseph-led Kerala Congress will contest eight seats, which is two fewer than its share in the 2021 elections.

Kerala is scheduled to vote in a single phase on April 9 for all 140 Assembly seats, with counting of votes and declaration of results set for May 4. The upcoming election is expected to witness a fierce contest between the Congress-led UDF and the ruling Left Democratic Front, making it one of the most closely watched state elections in 2026.