March 11, 2026: As Keralam’s political conversation intensifies ahead of the elections, NDTV PowerPlay Keralam brings together the leaders and ideas shaping the state’s political future, with some of the state’s sharpest voices debating its future.
The day-long event will be held on March 12 in Thiruvananthapuram, featuring senior political leaders, policymakers, and analysts from across the political spectrum. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will headline the dialogue and address the gathering on ‘The Keralam Model’, reflecting on governance, welfare, economic priorities, and the broader vision for the state’s future.
Among the prominent voices will be Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament, who will speak on the larger ideological debate shaping the idea of Keralam and the interplay of competing political visions within the state’s public life.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, State President of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Keralam, will outline the BJP’s southern strategy and its political roadmap for expanding its presence in the state. John Brittas, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, and senior leader of the CPI(M), will present the Left’s perspective on governance, welfare, and political power within Keralam’s evolving political landscape.
The discussions will also feature Ramesh Chennithala, former Home Minister of Keralam and senior Congress leader, who will reflect on the Congress party’s strategy and prospects as Keralam moves toward the next electoral contest.
V.D. Satheesan, Leader of the Opposition in the Keralam Legislative Assembly, will discuss the United Democratic Front’s approach and the broader challenge to the ruling Left Democratic Front.
The event will also feature key voices from other political formations and public institutions. P.K. Kunhalikutty, National Secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League, will speak on the role of minority politics and electoral alliances in shaping Keralam’s political arithmetic.
Veena George, Minister for Health, Women and Child Development in the Government of Keralam, will address questions around welfare governance, public health, and the role of women in public leadership. Shafi Parambil, Member of Parliament, will reflect on the future readiness of the Congress and the role of a younger generation of leaders in shaping Keralam’s political direction.
In addition to political leaders, the dialogue will also bring together diplomats, analysts, and public commentators to discuss broader geopolitical and cultural issues that influence the state’s political discourse.
T.P. Sitharaman, former diplomat, will join analysts Nirmal Abraham and Rejimon Kuttappan in a discussion on the implications of the West Asia conflict for Keralam, particularly given the state’s deep diaspora links with the Gulf region.
Another session will examine one of the most debated issues in Keralam’s recent political history, the Sabarimala controversy, with political analyst Jaick C. Thomas, commentator Sreejith Panickar and political activist Rahul Easwar discussing the intersection of faith, law, and politics.
The dialogue will also turn its attention to governance and economic development. P.A. Mohammed Riyas, Minister for Tourism and Public Works in the Government of Keralam, will present the state’s vision for infrastructure, tourism, and investment as Keralam seeks to strengthen its economic growth narrative.
Thushar Vellapally, State Convenor of the National Democratic Alliance in Keralam, will outline the NDA’s political strategy and alliance architecture in the state.
The final political discussion of the day will bring together Members of Parliament N.K. Premchandran of the Revolutionary Socialist Party, P. Santosh Kumar of the CPI(M) and Haris Beeran of the Indian Union Muslim League to reflect on the evolving political battlelines ahead of the 2026 elections and the broader questions shaping Keralam’s democratic discourse.
Speaking about the initiative, Rahul Kanwal, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, NDTV, said, ‘Keralam has always been one of India’s most politically engaged states, where political ideas, ideological debates, and civic participation shape the democratic conversation in a unique way. NDTV PowerPlay Keralam seeks to create a serious conversation where leaders across parties and perspectives engage with the questions that matter most to the state’s citizens at a time when the next electoral chapter is beginning to take form.’
NDTV PowerPlay has emerged as one of the network’s key platforms for high-impact political conversations across India, bringing together leaders, policymakers, and analysts to engage in substantive debate on the issues shaping the country’s democratic future.
With NDTV PowerPlay Keralam, the network brings this pre-election conversation to one of India’s most politically vibrant states, creating a space for informed dialogue when Keralam’s political conversation is entering a new and decisive phase.
