Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 13 (LatestNewsX) – The final results from Kerala’s local‑body polls have dealt a blow to the Left Democratic Front’s hope of winning a third straight term under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
From Kasaragod all the way to the capital, sign‑posts point to a clear upswing for the Congress‑led United Democratic Front, while the BJP‑led National Democratic Alliance has come away stronger, reshaping the state’s political map. Across every tier—panchayats, municipalities and corporations—the UDF now holds the advantage.
State Election Commission figures show the UDF leading in 441 of 941 gram panchayats, versus the LDF’s 372. In block panchayats the UDF also has the edge, winning 80 seats compared with the LDF’s 63. District‑level contests remain evenly split, with both sides holding seven seats each.
Notably, many areas that the LDF had dominated in the previous cycle have swung back to the UDF in this round.
The BJP’s performance was even more surprising. The party came close to taking the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, kept control of the Palakkad municipality, and expanded its reach in several other panchayats. The NDA currently leads in 27 panchayats and two municipalities—a clear sign of its growing foothold in local governance.
The LDF’s setback was unexpected, especially after a campaign that spotlighted governance successes and positioned Chief Minister Vijayan at the center. Promised welfare moves like pension hikes and a security pension for women were meant to be key rallying points. Anticipated controversies around the UDF, such as the Rahul Mamkootathil issue, were expected to work in the LDF’s favor, but early analyses suggest that Sabarimala‑related scandals and a broader anti‑incumbency mood undermined the front.
Given the LDF’s own assessment that it would make gains, the reversal was stark. The UDF’s focus on Sabarimala, alleged governance shortcomings, rising municipal service fees, and general price hikes, together with its counter‑attack on the Sabarimala gold‑smuggling controversy, seemed to resonate with voters.
Meanwhile, the BJP’s gains exceeded forecasts. While the party had anticipated a gain at the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the results indicate an even stronger showing, emerging as the largest party in the capital and consolidating its presence across panchayats, municipalities and corporations.
Strong performances by the BJP in places such as Kollam Corporation and Alappuzha district are viewed as significant enough to potentially shift the political equations in the state.
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