Thiruvananthapuram, March 28 (NationPress) The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is gearing up to embark on a political campaign in Kerala with two roadshows in the Pathanamthitta district on Monday, injecting new energy into the United Democratic Front's (UDF) electoral drive.

The Pathanamthitta district comprises five Assembly constituencies, where the Congress-led UDF faced a setback in the 2021 Assembly elections, securing no seats.

Rahul Gandhi's upcoming roadshows are anticipated to significantly enhance the alliance’s prospects.

In the local body elections conducted in December, the UDF performed admirably, and the leadership is optimistic about improving its results in the upcoming Assembly elections on April 9. The party expects that Rahul Gandhi’s presence will facilitate a strong revival.

The scheduled roadshows at strategic locations in the district are likely to attract large crowds, particularly in a region known for its closely contested and politically charged electoral battles.

Party officials indicated that this visit aims to invigorate grassroots workers and solidify support in central Kerala, with Pathanamthitta recognized as a pivotal battleground.

Rahul Gandhi’s visit follows a brief interruption in his campaign itinerary.

Initially, he was slated to arrive in Kerala on Wednesday to take part in the UDF’s “maha rally” in Kozhikode.

However, the Congress leader had to cancel his trip due to the unexpected illness of his mother, Sonia Gandhi.

In his absence, Congress president Mallikarjuna Kharge led the rally, addressing party members and supporters while reiterating the UDF’s campaign messages against the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF).

Prominent state leaders, including K.C. Venugopal, attended, underscoring the party’s effort to sustain campaign momentum despite the last-minute alteration.

Sources within the party revealed that Rahul Gandhi’s roadshows in Pathanamthitta will concentrate on key political issues such as governance, development, and what the Congress describes as increasing public dissatisfaction with the state government.

This district also bears symbolic significance due to its proximity to Sabarimala, a recurring topic in Kerala’s political narrative.

The Congress hopes that the presence of Rahul Gandhi will energize party workers and attract undecided voters as the campaigning heats up.

As the electoral narrative sharpens, his return to Kerala is expected to bring heightened visibility and enthusiasm to the UDF campaign in the coming days.