As political activity gathers momentum in Kerala ahead of the next elections, NDTV is set to host ‘NDTV PowerPlay Keralam’, a day-long political dialogue bringing together senior leaders, policymakers and analysts from across the political spectrum. The event will take place on March 12 in Thiruvananthapuram and will feature several influential voices discussing the state’s political direction and governance priorities.

According to a press release, the initiative aims to create a platform for substantive debate at a time when Kerala’s political landscape is entering a decisive phase. The event will be headlined by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who will address the gathering on “The Keralam Model,” reflecting on governance, welfare initiatives, economic priorities and the broader vision for the state’s future.

Among the key speakers will be Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament, who will speak about the ideological debates shaping Kerala’s political narrative and the interplay of competing visions in the state’s public life. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, State President of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Kerala, will outline the party’s southern strategy and its roadmap for expanding its political presence in the state.

The discussions will also feature John Brittas, Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha and a senior leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), who will present the Left’s perspective on governance and welfare policies. Senior Congress leader and former Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala will speak about the party’s strategy as the state prepares for the upcoming electoral contest.

Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly V. D. Satheesan is expected to discuss the United Democratic Front’s approach and the broader challenge it poses to the ruling Left Democratic Front. Meanwhile, P. K. Kunhalikutty, National Secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League, will address the role of minority politics and electoral alliances in shaping the state’s political arithmetic.

The dialogue will also include participation from other political leaders and policymakers. Veena George, Minister for Health, Women and Child Development in the Kerala government, will speak about welfare governance and public health policies, while Member of Parliament Shafi Parambil will reflect on the role of younger leaders in shaping the future of the Congress party in the state.

Beyond politics, the event will host discussions on geopolitical and social issues that influence Kerala’s public discourse. Former diplomat T. P. Sitharaman will join analysts Nirmal Abraham and Rejimon Kuttappan to examine the implications of the West Asia conflict for Kerala, particularly in light of the state’s strong diaspora connections with the Gulf region.

Another panel will focus on the long-debated Sabarimala Temple issue, with political analyst Jaick C. Thomas, commentator Sreejith Panickar and activist Rahul Easwar discussing the intersection of faith, law and politics.

Economic development and infrastructure will also be part of the conversation, with Tourism and Public Works Minister P. A. Mohammed Riyas presenting the state’s vision for tourism growth, infrastructure development and investment opportunities. Thushar Vellapally, State Convenor of the National Democratic Alliance in Kerala, will outline the alliance’s political strategy in the state.

The final political discussion of the day will bring together Members of Parliament N. K. Premachandran of the Revolutionary Socialist Party, P. Santosh Kumar of the CPI(M) and Haris Beeran of the Indian Union Muslim League to examine the evolving political battlelines ahead of the 2026 elections.

Speaking about the initiative, Rahul Kanwal, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of NDTV, said Kerala has long been one of India’s most politically engaged states where debates, ideas and civic participation shape democratic conversations. He added that NDTV PowerPlay Keralam aims to create a serious platform where leaders from across parties can engage with the issues that matter most to citizens.

NDTV PowerPlay has emerged as one of the network’s key platforms for high-impact political conversations across the country, bringing together leaders, policymakers and analysts to debate the issues shaping India’s democratic future. With the Kerala edition, the network seeks to bring that dialogue to one of the country’s most politically vibrant states at a time when its electoral landscape is entering a crucial phase.