Kerala Election Results 2025: UDF Dominates Local Body Polls in Major Political Shift

Historic Victory for UDF in Kerala Local Body Elections

The results of the Kerala local body elections signal a decisive shift in the state’s political landscape, with the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) emerging with a clear upper hand across most tiers of local governance. Elections were held in Kerala for six corporations, 14 district panchayats, 86 municipalities, 152 block panchayats and 941 grama panchayats in two phases on December 9 and 11.

UDF’s Commanding Performance Across All Tiers

The municipal results point to a clear UDF surge across Kerala, with the front winning 54 of the 86 municipalities and making significant gains in urban and semi-urban areas. The Congress-led alliance demonstrated its strength particularly in districts such as Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Malappuram, and Kottayam.

At the grassroots level, among the 941 grama panchayats, the UDF has won 504, while the LDF has secured only 341. While the BJP has secured 26, 64 panchayats reported a tie. This marks a significant reversal from 2020, when the LDF had dominated with 514 grama panchayats.

LDF’s Setback and BJP’s Limited Gains

From corporations and municipalities to block and grama panchayats, the UDF has registered significant gains at the expense of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), which has struggled to defend several of its traditional strongholds. The ruling front managed to retain control in some areas including parts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kozhikode and Kannur, but fell well short of its 2020 performance.

The BJP-led NDA, whilst remaining marginal overall, secured notable victories by winning Palakkad and Tripunithura municipalities, along with 26 grama panchayats.

Significance for 2026 Assembly Elections

The outcomes, widely viewed as a political barometer ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls, also underline a limited but notable expansion by the BJP-led NDA, particularly in key urban pockets such as Thiruvananthapuram. The results suggest growing voter dissatisfaction with the ruling LDF government and renewed confidence in the UDF’s ability to govern at the local level.

These election results will likely reshape political strategies as parties prepare for the crucial 2026 state assembly elections, with the UDF gaining significant momentum and the LDF facing questions about its governance record.