Kerala Civic Polls : LDF Welfare Push Fails, UDF Leads Majority Kerala
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has scored a major win in the Kerala local body polls, emerging as the single largest party in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The NDA won 50 of the 101 wards in the corporation, while the ruling LDF was reduced to 29 seats. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) secured 19 seats, two went to Independents, and polling in one ward was cancelled following the death of a candidate last week.
The outcome is politically significant as Thiruvananthapuram district is the home turf of senior Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor, underlining the scale of the BJP’s breakthrough in the state capital. The NDA also registered another key victory by taking control of the Tripunithura Municipality, dislodging the ruling LDF as counting in the 2025 Kerala local body elections concluded on Saturday. He said the verdict reflected the electorate’s desire for change and underlined the importance of respecting the people’s mandate, even when it favours rival political formations.
He congratulated the Congress-led alliance, adding, “A huge congratulations to the UDF for a truly impressive win across various local bodies. This is a massive endorsement and a powerful signal ahead of the state legislative elections. Hard work, a strong message and anti-incumbency have all clearly paid off to achieve a much better result than in 2020.” Tharoor also acknowledged the BJP’s gains in his home constituency.
“I campaigned for a change from 45 years of LDF misrule, but the voters have ultimately rewarded another party that also sought a clear change in governance. That is the beauty of democracy. The people’s verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in my constituency,” he added. He concluded by saying that his party would continue to work for the state. “We will continue to work for the betterment of Kerala, advocating for the people’s needs and upholding the principles of good governance. Onwards and upwards.”
In Tripunithura Municipality in Ernakulam district, the NDA secured a narrow majority, winning 21 seats in the 53-member council. The LDF followed closely with 20 seats, while the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) slipped to third place with 12 seats. The outcome represents the first time the BJP has won control of the Tripunithura Municipal Council. Classified as an A-grade municipality, Tripunithura had for decades alternated between the LDF and the UDF.
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