A recent analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Kerala Election Watch reveals that the average assets of winning candidates in the Kerala 2026 Assembly elections have surged to ₹7 crore (roughly $840,000 USD), doubling from ₹3 crore (approximately $360,000 USD) in the previous election in 2021. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) regained power by winning 102 seats, while the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) was reduced to 35 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) achieved a breakthrough by winning three seats, marking its first electoral success in the state. The report also highlights wealth disparities among political parties, with Kerala Congress and BJP candidates being notably wealthier than their counterparts in the major coalitions. Among the 55 re-elected MLAs, the average assets increased by 20% over the last five years. Individual cases varied, with some, like Mathew Kuzhalnadan, seeing asset increases of over ₹5 crore, while others, such as Mani C Kappen, reported declines exceeding ₹6 crore.