Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is facing a significant challenge in his Dharmadom constituency from V. P. Abdul Rasheed, the Congress candidate from the United Democratic Front (UDF). After early counting trends, Vijayan leads by a narrow margin of 1,536 votes following seven rounds of counting. This election marks a pivotal moment, as statewide trends suggest the UDF may secure victory in approximately 60 seats, while the CPI(M) is ahead in 27 seats and the CPI in 10. Rasheed, who was initially expected to contest from Taliparamba, has a proven track record of reducing the LDF's margins in previous elections, having previously challenged CPI(M) leader M. V. Govindan in both the 2016 and 2021 elections. Vijayan, born in 1944 in Kannur, has had a long political career, serving as Chief Minister since 2016 and leading the LDF to consecutive victories in the last two elections.