Congress-led United Democratic Front makes gains in Kerala local body polls.

By John Pranay (Editor)

Kerala, India - In a closely watched local body poll, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has made a comeback, while the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) has suffered a setback. The two-phase polling saw a voter turnout of 73.6%, with women voters outnumbering men. The UDF secured control of four out of six corporations, including Kochi, Kollam, Thrissur, and Kannur. The LDF, on the other hand, was reduced to just one corporation, Kozhikode, after 45 years in power.

The local body polls in Kerala were held in two phases on December 9 and 11, with the vote count on December 13. The UDF, led by the Congress, dominated the municipalities and grama panchayats, while the LDF, which has been in power for five years, struggled to maintain its grip. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) made significant inroads in the coastal state, winning 1,919 wards across Kerala, a nominal increase from 1,597 in 2020.

The NDA's success in Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, where it gave a massive setback to the ruling LDF, was a significant highlight. The BJP also impressed in Tripunithura Municipality, where it won 21 wards in a close contest against the LDF. The UDF was a distant third with victory on 12 wards.

Kerala has a history of high voter turnout in local elections, with the state consistently recording turnout above 70% since 2010. The local body polls have been a key battleground for the LDF and UDF, with the two fronts vying for control of the state's municipalities and grama panchayats. The BJP's entry into the fray has added a new dimension to the politics of Kerala, with the party making significant inroads in the state.

In 2020, the LDF won 99 seats in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, while the UDF won 41 seats. The BJP failed to win even a single seat in the 140-member Assembly. However, the party's performance in the local body polls suggests that it may be a force to be reckoned with in the 2026 Assembly elections.

The local body polls have had a significant impact on the voters and civilians of Kerala. The UDF's victory has given a boost to the Congress party, while the LDF's defeat has raised questions about its ability to retain power in the state. The BJP's success has also sent a message to the party's workers and supporters, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailing the NDA's performance as a "watershed moment" in Kerala's politics.

The impact on international alliances is less clear, but the polls are likely to have implications for the state's relations with other parties and organizations. The UDF's victory may strengthen its ties with other Congress-led fronts, while the LDF's defeat may lead to a re-evaluation of its alliances with other parties.

The local body polls are likely to have a significant impact on the politics of Kerala in the coming months. The UDF's victory has given a boost to the Congress party, while the LDF's defeat has raised questions about its ability to retain power in the state. The BJP's success has also sent a message to the party's workers and supporters, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailing the NDA's performance as a "watershed moment" in Kerala's politics.

The next major event in Kerala's politics is likely to be the 2026 Assembly elections, which are scheduled to take place in April. The polls will be a key test for the UDF and LDF, with the BJP looking to build on its success in the local body polls.

The local body polls in Kerala have sent a clear message to the state's politicians: the BJP is a force to be reckoned with. The party's success in Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation and Tripunithura Municipality suggests that it has a strong presence in the state, and its performance in the local body polls is likely to have implications for the 2026 Assembly elections.

However, the BJP's success also raises questions about the party's ability to translate its local-level gains into Assembly-level victories. The party's performance in the 2021 Assembly elections, where it failed to win even a single seat, suggests that it still has a long way to go before it becomes a major player in Kerala's politics.

Crucially, this overlooks the fact that the BJP's success in Kerala is not just about winning seats, but also about building a strong grassroots presence in the state. The party's ability to do so will be a key factor in determining its success in the 2026 Assembly elections.

On balance, this event screens as Neutral in our sentiment view.

1. Kerala Local Body Elections 2025 at a glance: Infographics — https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-local-body-polls-2025-trends-ldf-udf/article70391580.ece

2. Beyond Thiruvananthapuram success: What numbers reveal about BJP's performance in Kerala local body polls — https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/beyond-thiruvananthapuram-success-numbers-reveal-bjps-performance-kerala-local-body-polls-10419488/

3. Kerala Local Body Election Results 2025: Analysing BJP-led NDA's performance ahead of 2026 Assembly polls — https://www.indiatvnews.com/explainers/kerala-local-body-election-results-2025-analysing-bjp-led-nda-s-performance-ahead-of-2026-assembly-polls-2025-12-14-1021679

Methodology: This analysis combines real-time data aggregation from manually selected global sources with advanced AI synthesis, engineered to provide neutral and data-driven insights.