The battle for the 2026 Kerala Assembly Elections has intensified with the three major fronts—the CPM-led LDF, the Congress-led UDF, and the BJP-led NDA—releasing their poll manifestos. While the LDF focuses on "Navakerala" (New Kerala) and continuing its welfare streak, the UDF has introduced the "Indira Guarantee" centered on women and youth. Meanwhile, the NDA’s "Viksit Keralam" emphasises central-state synergy and cultural preservation.

LDF vs UDF vs NDA Manifesto: Key Highlights
Welfare Pension

• LDF: Increased to ₹3,000 per month
• UDF: Increased to ₹3,000 per month
• NDA: ₹3,000 for women heads of BPL families, widows, and seniors (70+)

Women’s Welfare

• LDF: 20 lakh jobs for women over five years
• UDF: Free KSRTC travel, ₹1,000 monthly allowance for college girls
• NDA: ₹2,500 monthly ‘Bhakshya Arogya Suraksha’ card for BPL women

Healthcare

• LDF: All PHCs to be upgraded to Family Health Centres, Digital Health Grid
• UDF : “Oommen Chandy Health Insurance” up to ₹25 lakhs
• NDA: Expansion of Ayushman Bharat to all, establishment of AIIMS

Infrastructure

• LDF: High-speed rail, Metro projects in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode
• UDF: “Mission Samudra” (waterways project), metro projects in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode
• NDA: Thiruvananthapuram–Kannur high-speed rail, Kochi Metro completion

Agriculture

• LDF: Rubber MSP increase, modernisation of agriculture
• UDF: Wage support for traditional sectors (coir, cashew)
• NDA: MSP for all supported crops, multicrop options in plantations

Education/Youth

• LDF: State as a "Knowledge Hub"; focus on higher education quality
• UDF: ₹5 Lakh interest-free business loans for youth
• NDA: Optional English medium in govt schools; Police University

LDF Manifesto for Kerala Elections 2026
The ruling LDF's manifesto, released by CM Pinarayi Vijayan, leans heavily on its track record of poverty eradication and infrastructure development.

• Welfare pensions for the elderly and deserving will be hiked to ₹3,000 per month.
• A massive push for employment with a promise to provide jobs for 20 lakh women over the next five years.
• The "LIFE Mission" housing project will be expanded to include all deserving families currently left out.
• Commitment to making Kerala a "Knowledge Hub" by upgrading the quality of higher education to international standards.
• Implementation of high-speed or semi-high-speed rail projects to modernize the state's transport network.
• A "Healthy Aging" policy for senior citizens providing free medicines for lifestyle diseases.

UDF Manifesto for Kerala Elections
The UDF manifesto, titled with a focus on "Indira Guarantees," aims at providing direct financial relief and health security to the common man.

• "Oommen Chandy Health Insurance" scheme offering free treatment up to ₹25 lakhs for every family.
• Free travel for women in all KSRTC buses across the state.
• Monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000 for all female college students.
• Interest-free loans up to ₹5 lakhs for youth to start new business ventures.
• "Mission Samudra" to develop Kerala's 600km coastline and 44 rivers into a global maritime hub.
• Establishment of a "Department of Peace and Harmony" to curb political violence, modeled after Rajasthan.
• A dedicated department for the welfare of senior citizens.

NDA manifesto for Kerala Election 2026
The NDA's "Viksit Keralam" (Developed Kerala) document focuses on corruption-free governance and bringing Central schemes directly to the doorstep of Malayalis.

• Introduction of "Bhakshya Arogya Suraksha" Card with ₹2,500 monthly recharge for women in poor households.
• Provision of 20,000 liters of free water per month to every household in Kerala.
• Two free LPG cylinders annually for BPL families, distributed during Onam and Christmas.
• Expansion of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY to cover every single Malayali for medical emergencies.
• Fulfillment of the long-standing demand for an AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) in Kerala.
• A time-bound CBI inquiry into the Sabarimala gold theft and a complete revamp of Devaswom Boards.
• Development of an "Industrial Corridor" surrounding Vizhinjam Port and a High-Speed Railway connecting Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur.