Thiruvananthapuram: The United Democratic Front (UDF) emerged as the biggest winner in Kerala’s local body elections, sweeping panchayats, municipalities, corporations and block panchayats in a resounding statewide surge. While the contest for district panchayats ended in a dead heat with the UDF and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) winning seven each, the UDF staged a powerful comeback by securing control of four of the state’s six municipal corporations.
In a major political breakthrough, the BJP-led NDA captured the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, marking a dramatic rise for the party in the capital city. The NDA won 50 seats and is just one short of a simple majority, while the LDF secured 29 divisions, the UDF 19, and independents won two. The BJP’s success in the capital is being seen as a significant and unexpected setback for both the CPI(M) and the Congress.
The UDF also reclaimed Kochi and Thrissur corporations from the LDF, made history by coming to power in Kollam for the first time, and retained control in Kannur. In Kochi, the UDF bagged 47 seats, pushing the LDF down to 22, while the NDA won six seats. In Thrissur, the UDF secured 33 seats, ahead of the LDF’s 13 and the NDA’s eight. Kannur returned a clear UDF verdict with 36 seats, compared to the LDF’s 15.
A tight and high-stakes battle played out in Kozhikode Corporation, where the LDF held a narrow lead with 35 seats against the UDF’s 28, while the NDA made a strong showing with 13 divisions. Notably, both the LDF and UDF mayoral candidates were defeated, adding to the drama of the contest.
At the grassroots level, the UDF’s dominance was emphatic. The front won 495 grama panchayats compared to the LDF’s 343, secured 78 block panchayats against the LDF’s 64, and emerged victorious in 54 municipalities. The NDA retained power in Palakkad Municipality and captured Thrippunithura, underlining a fiercely contested and politically charged verdict that reshapes Kerala’s local political landscape.
