Kerala Assembly budget session set for high-decibel LDF-UDF showdown

The budget session of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, beginning Tuesday, is expected to witness intense political confrontations between the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), with several politically sensitive issues likely to dominate proceedings ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

The 32-day session , the 16th of the 15th Assembly, will commence with Governor Arif Mohammed Khan’s policy address and conclude on March 26. With electoral stakes high, both sides are preparing for sustained floor battles inside the House and protests outside.

A major flashpoint is expected to be the Sabarimala gold loss case, in which senior CPI (M) leader and former MLA A Padmakumar , who also served as president of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), was arrested. The UDF plans to accuse the government of shielding the accused, pointing to the CPI (M)’s alleged failure to take disciplinary action despite his imprisonment. The interrogation of former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran and allegations against former TDB president P S Prasanth are also likely to be raised.

The opposition is also set to target the government over the arrest of Congress legislator Rahul Mamkootathil in Palakkad, arguing political vendetta. The ruling front, however, has indicated it will counter by highlighting Mamkootathil’s arrest in a sexual assault case, asserting that the Congress cannot evade responsibility despite his expulsion from the party.

Kerala’s deepening financial crisis is expected to be another contentious issue, with the UDF planning to question delays in welfare pension payments, mounting debt, and alleged mismanagement of state finances. The opposition is also likely to raise concerns over alleged flaws and land acquisition issues related to the construction of national highways across the state.

Political and ideological differences are expected to surface over Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan ’s recent remarks on Jamaat-e-Islami, with the UDF accusing the CPI (M) of shifting towards a “soft Hindutva” stance after the Lok Sabha elections. The ruling front is expected to reject the charge and turn the spotlight on the Congress’ own internal contradictions.

The LDF is also preparing to counterattack by raising criticism of Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan by community leaders, the alleged failure of the Congress to complete housing projects promised to Wayanad landslide survivors, and a vigilance probe against Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan in a land-related case.

Treasury benches are expected to highlight the Pinarayi Vijayan government’s welfare initiatives, completion of major infrastructure projects, and what it describes as the Centre’s financial strangulation of Kerala through reduced transfers and borrowing constraints.

The state budget for the financial year 2026-27 will be presented on January 29 . A general discussion is scheduled from February 2 to 4 , followed by a recess from February 6 to 22 for subject committees to scrutinise departmental demands for grants. Detailed discussions and passage of demands for grants will be held from February 24 to March 19 , Assembly sources said.

Three days have been set aside for debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s policy statement, setting the stage for what is expected to be one of the most turbulent Assembly sessions in recent years.