Kerala LSG polls: Major comeback for Congress, setback for ruling left govt, while BJP makes surprise gains

Thiruvananthapuram: After three hours of counting for the 1,199 local bodies in Kerala, SEC data indicated that the UDF was leading in more grama and block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.

UDF won 54 municipalities while the LDF managed to win 28 municipalities and the BJP won 2.

Congress party workers and leaders have began celebrations in many parts of the state. Congress leaders believe that the new victory in LSG polls will reflect in the up coming assembly polls in April, 2026.

"This victory shows that the Congress-led UDF is coming to power in the next assembly elections. We are very confident that the people of Kerala will ensure the defeat of LDF”, said Sunny Joseph, KPCC president.

While, the UDF managed to win 4 corporations, 54 municipalities, 7 district panchayats, 77 block Panchayat and 498 gram panchayats, CPM-led LDF lost nearly 100 seats in Gram panchayats and block level Panchayats.

However, the BJP managed to win the prestigious Thiruvananthapuram corporation. BJP also managed to win 25 gram Panchayats and 2 municipalities.

BJP won the Thiruvananthapuram corporation by winning 50 wards with the CPM coming down to 27 and Congress at 20 seats. This is the first time in the history that the BJP is winning a corporation in the state.

The trends shared by the State Election Commission (SEC) showed the ruling LDF is losing by a considerable margin in corporation, municipality, gram Panchayat and block Panchayat. The new trend

The BJP-led NDA was ahead in 28 grama panchayats, one block panchayat and one Corporation.

LDF convenor TP Ramakrishnan expressed shock and disbelief in the poll outcome.

"We will analyse the election results in detail”, said Ramakrishnan to media.

The election result is a major setback to the ruling left government which is in power for the last 9 years. The results is a shot in the arm for the Congress and the IUML who made major strides in most part of northern Kerala.

The election results will have a huge impact on the the political prospects of CPM, Congress and the BJP who will face the crucial assembly elections in April 2026. 

Reports from some district committees suggest cross voting by BJP supporters for the UDF in certain wards where the former is not strong. The CPM leadership also believes the Sabarimala gold theft case will have only minimal impact, especially after the arrest of two former Travancore Devaswom Board presidents. A setback for the LDF would force the CPM to undertake a serious introspection on governance and strategies to counter anti-incumbency.