News Broadcasting
MCCS appoints Astro’s Barun Das as vice president
MUMBAI: Media Content and Communication Services Pvt. Ltd. (MCCS), which manages Star News and Star Ananda has roped in Astro All Asia Network international business development head Barun DAs as the vice-president in the corporate function.
In his present profile as VP at MCCS, Das will have responsibilities both for the MCCS topline as well as bottomline. He will be responsible for creating new revenue models for MCCS in order to increase reach and revenue in non-traditional areas.
Das had earlier moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to take up his assignment with Astro All Asia Network. His role involved business development with a focus on the Indian subcontinent. Prior to his stint with Astro All Asia Network, DAs was associate publisher – business division, at the India Today Group. He brings to MCCS his legacy of a vast experience that spreads across various media groups including the Ananda Bazaar Patrika Group and Zee Publishing, informs an official statement.
Says MCCS CEO Uday Shankar, “His appointment is in tandem with the exciting new options that the network is exploring in the days to come. In Barun we have a person equipped to exploit this potential and explore new ideas.”
Das adds, “My previous international exposure has added a new dimension to my professional experience. During my stint with Astro, Kuala Lumpur, I experienced how much the world is excited about India. With so much happening in the world of media, I just could not resist my temptation to be back in India. MCCS with its offerings has been at the forefront of consistent innovation. For me this is a welcome fit and a challenging assignment.”
News Broadcasting
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.
