The counting of votes for the Kerala Assembly elections is scheduled for May 4, 2026, placing significant focus on the fragmented Kerala Congress factions. The results will be pivotal for the Kerala Congress (M), led by Jose K. Mani, who previously shifted allegiance to the Left Democratic Front (LDF) after leaving the United Democratic Front (UDF) before the 2021 elections. This strategic move altered the political dynamics in Kerala, but the stakes remain high. A second consecutive electoral defeat for Mani in the Pala constituency could severely undermine his leadership and raise pressing questions about the party's future direction. The election results are expected to influence not only the immediate electoral prospects but also the long-term viability of the competing factions within the Congress camp in Kerala.