A significant shift in the Kerala state’s political landscape

 

 

 

 

 

 

As per the various reports, the results of Kerala’s local body elections indicate a significant shift in the state’s political landscape, with the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) emerging as a major force across many levels of local governance.

 

When analyzing the votes received by each front on an assembly constituency basis, the results from 140 constituencies are as follows: (UDF 80, LDF 58, NDA 2).

 

A subsequent analysis, incorporating the boundaries of gram panchayats, municipalities, and corporations into the relevant assembly constituencies, suggests that the UDF could potentially come to power by securing ten seats more than the required majority.

 

In the previous cycle (2020), a similar analysis conducted by Malayala Manorama showed the results as (LDF 101, UDF 38, NDA 1).The subsequent assembly elections largely reflected these figures.In 2021, the results were: (LDF 99, UDF 41, NDA 0).

 

Currently, the UDF controls districts such as Malappuram, Wayanad, Pathanamthitta, and Ernakulam. Conversely, the LDF holds an advantage in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Thrissur, Palakkad, and Kannur districts. Notably, in Thrissur, where the LDF has a parliamentary representative, the BJP does not lead in any assembly segment. The BJP has secured a majority in Nemom and Vattiyoorkavu constituencies in Thiruvananthapuram. The LDF also leads significantly in Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur, while in Kannur, the lead is narrow (6-5). Meanwhile, the UDF has a stronger presence in Kozhikode district with a 10-3 advantage.

 

In a historic development, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (BJP-NDA) ended over four decades of the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, marking a major shift in local governance following the declaration of election results.

 

Even as the LDF won all four municipalities and the district panchayat in Thiruvananthapuram, the loss of power in the Corporation and the decline of urban votes could be concerning for the leadership ahead of next year’s Assembly elections.