Kerala's Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is gearing up for the elections on April 9, 2026, but faces significant internal strife that could jeopardize its chances against the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF). The UDF is grappling with unresolved disputes over the Kannur assembly seat and a lack of clarity on the Chief Ministerial candidate. This factionalism has roots dating back to 1978 when former Chief Minister K. Karunakaran established the Congress (I) faction, leading to a power-sharing arrangement that has since failed to maintain unity. The party's electoral performance has sharply declined, with the number of seats won dropping from 63 in 2001 to 21 in 2021. The recent deaths of influential leaders like Karunakaran and Oommen Chandy have left a leadership void, causing factional leaders to prioritize their own interests over party unity. As the UDF prepares for the upcoming election, an internal survey has revealed organizational weaknesses in multiple districts, indicating that without coherence, the party may struggle to convert anti-incumbency sentiment into electoral success.