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Rahul Chaudhari back as UPKL’s Season 2 star
MUMBAI: UPKL kicked off its Season 2 build-up with a star raid of its own, renewing its partnership with the much-loved Rahul Chaudhari. The Showman of Kabaddi returns as brand ambassador, ensuring the league keeps its flair and fanfare intact.
The move signals UPKL’s intent to build on its reputation as one of India’s most organised and fast-growing state leagues. With its structured framework, athlete-first model and strong community engagement, the league aims to push Kabaddi deeper into the mainstream.
Rahul, who began as a defender before rising to fame as one of India’s fiercest raiders, brings experience and star power to the platform. His stellar record includes gold medal victories at the 2016 South Asian Games and the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup. He has also captained India at the 2014 Beach Asian Games in Thailand and led Uttar Pradesh in the 2015 National Kabaddi Championship.
SJ Uplift Kabaddi founder and director Sambhav Jain said, “UPKL’s growth from Season 1 to 2 shows how regional leagues can become strong ecosystems that connect communities and convert local passion into national interest. Rahul brought star value to our first season and with him continuing, we can widen visibility, energise the league and strengthen its appeal.”
Rahul Chaudhari shared his excitement, “Season 1 showed incredible hunger and potential. UPKL has opened doors for grassroots players to shine at a national level. It is a meaningful launchpad and my partnership with the league reflects our shared belief in Kabaddi’s future. I am confident the next season will offer young talent the opportunity they deserve.”
Adding to the momentum, UPKL has further boosted its reach through a broadcast partnership with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited’s new initiatives arm Zee Sports. The collaboration will help drive nationwide viewership across TV and digital platforms.
Season 2 will feature 12 teams competing in 71 matches over 19 action-packed days in Noida, beginning 25 December 2025.
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UDF poised to return to power in Kerala, says Manorama-CVoter survey
Massive opinion poll projects shift in Kerala politics ahead of 2026 Assembly elections.
MUMBAI: The winds of change appear to be blowing through Kerala’s political landscape and this time, they seem to favour the United Democratic Front. A comprehensive mega opinion survey conducted by Manorama News in partnership with CVoter projects a potential comeback for the UDF in the upcoming Kerala Legislative Assembly Elections 2026. The survey, covering all 140 constituencies with a massive sample size of nearly 90,000 respondents, predicts the UDF could win between 69 and 81 seats.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is expected to secure 57 to 69 seats, a significant drop from the 99 seats it won in the 2021 elections. This would mean the LDF losing 30 to 42 of its sitting seats. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which drew a blank in 2021, is projected to open its account with 1 to 5 seats.
Region-wise, the UDF is expected to make strong gains in Malabar, winning 25 to 34 out of 48 seats, and in Central Kerala, where it could bag 29 to 33 out of 53 seats. In South Kerala, the LDF is likely to retain an edge with 21 to 25 seats, while the UDF may improve to 12 to 16 seats. The NDA could pick up 1 to 3 seats in the southern region.
The survey was conducted between 14 and 26 March 2026, with additional tracker and snap polls carried out from December 2025 to March 2026. A total of 89,693 respondents participated, ensuring representation across all demographics and social segments.
Manorama News has a strong track record of accuracy, with its previous projections closely matching the actual results of the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well as the 2021 Kerala Assembly polls.
In Kerala’s famously fierce political battles, this survey suggests the pendulum may be swinging back. Whether the final verdict matches these numbers or throws up another surprise, one thing is clear, the 2026 Assembly elections are shaping up to be one of the most keenly watched contests in the state’s history.
