Thiruvananthapuram,13 Dec (H.S.):The results of the Kerala local body elections have signalled a significant shift in the State’s political landscape, with the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) emerging with a clear upper hand across most tiers of local governance. Widely viewed as a political barometer ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls, the outcomes reflect a strong erosion of the ruling Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) dominance, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas.
Elections were held in two phases on December 9 and 11 for six municipal corporations, 14 district panchayats, 87 municipalities, 152 block panchayats and 941 grama panchayats across the State.
The UDF recorded a major breakthrough in the corporation councils, winning four of the six corporations and reclaiming several key urban centres from the LDF, which had swept most cities in the 2020 local body elections. The UDF secured decisive victories in Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur and Kannur, marking notable inroads into long-standing Left strongholds. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) achieved a significant milestone by winning the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, its first such victory in the State. Kozhikode remained the lone corporation retained by the LDF, despite a strong challenge from both the UDF and the NDA.
Municipal results underlined the scale of the UDF’s resurgence. The front won control of 54 of the 86 municipalities, registering gains across districts such as Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Malappuram, Kottayam and parts of Palakkad. The UDF also regained ground in Pathanamthitta and Idukki. While the LDF managed to retain control in pockets of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kozhikode and Kannur districts, its overall performance fell short of its 2020 showing.
The NDA remained a marginal force statewide but recorded notable successes, retaining Palakkad municipality, winning Tripunithura, and emerging as a decisive factor in closely contested councils such as Thodupuzha and Kanhangad.
Reacting to the results, CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan admitted that the outcome was unexpected and said corrective measures would be undertaken. He, however, rejected claims of an anti-LDF wave, alleging that the UDF had aligned with communal forces during the elections.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
