The political landscape of Kerala witnessed a significant realignment on Saturday as results for the 2025 local body elections were declared. In a historic milestone for the saffron party in the southern state, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) captured the prestigious Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, ending the dominance of the CPI(M). The NDA also successfully retained power in the Palakkad Municipality.
The election outcomes, viewed as a semi-final before the 2026 Assembly polls, delivered a mixed verdict. While the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) maintained its grip on rural strongholds, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) surged ahead in urban centers, securing victories in the Kochi and Thrissur Corporations.
PM Modi Hails ‘Vikasita Keralam’
Following the trends, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to the voters. Taking to social media platform X, he interpreted the mandate as a rejection of the traditional bipartisan politics of the state.
“My gratitude to the people across Kerala who voted for BJP and NDA candidates in the local body polls in the state. Kerala is fed up of UDF and LDF. They see NDA as the only option that can deliver on good governance and build a #VikasitaKeralam with opportunities for all.” — Prime Minister Narendra Modi
My gratitude to the people across Kerala who voted for BJP and NDA candidates in the local body polls in the state. Kerala is fed up of UDF and LDF. They see NDA as the only option that can deliver on good governance and build a #VikasitaKeralam with opportunities for all.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 13, 2025
Urban Shift and Key Losses
The results brought a major setback for the ruling LDF in Kollam. The Left front lost control of the Kollam Corporation, a bastion it had held for 25 years. The UDF capitalized on anti-incumbency in urban areas, marking a significant improvement from the previous civic polls where it had won only the Kannur Corporation.
According to the State Election Commission, the UDF established a comfortable lead in 48 municipalities. In contrast, the LDF led in 30 municipalities, while the NDA held the lead in one. The contest in Kozhikode Corporation remained tight, with the LDF leading in 29 wards and the UDF trailing closely with 25 wards.
Rural-Urban Divide
Despite urban setbacks, the LDF showed resilience in the hinterlands. Early trends indicated the ruling front was ahead in several grama and block panchayats, maintaining its traditional base among rural voters. However, the UDF’s performance in the Ernakulam Corporation was dominant, with the front leading in 44 wards.
Record Voter Turnout
The 2025 civic polls recorded the highest voter participation in three decades. The overall turnout stood at 73.69 per cent, the highest since the first local body elections were held in 1995. The second phase of polling saw a robust turnout of 76.08 per cent, while the first phase recorded 70.91 per cent.
Counting was conducted across 244 centers and 14 district collectorates for 1,199 local bodies. While the process was largely smooth, minor disruptions regarding the entry of booth agents were reported in Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, and Vadakara.
The newly elected panchayat members and municipal councillors are scheduled to take their oaths on December 21 at 10 am, followed by corporation councillors at 11 am.
