The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has secured a major political victory in Kerala, emerging as the single largest party in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and ending the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) 45-year hold on the civic body.
In the 101-ward corporation, the NDA won 50 seats, 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.
The result shows a clear shift in the city’s political balance and places the NDA in a strong position to form the next corporation administration. This outcome is significant also because Thiruvananthapuram is the home turf of senior Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor, underscoring the scale of the BJP’s breakthrough in the state.
The NDA registered two other key victories as counting for the 2025 Kerala local body elections concluded on Saturday:
Tripunithura Municipality: The NDA dislodged the ruling LDF, securing a narrow majority with 21 seats in the 53-member council. The LDF followed with 20 seats, and the UDF took 12. This marks the first time the BJP has won control of this A-grade municipality, which had historically alternated between the LDF and UDF.
Palakkad Municipality: The NDA retained control, consolidating its position.
Reacting to the results, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor described the outcome as a day of “amazing results” for Kerala’s democracy. He congratulated the UDF for its overall performance across the state while also acknowledging the BJP’s “historic” victory in his home constituency.
In a detailed message on X, Tharoor said, "I also want to acknowledge the historic performance of the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram, and offer humble congratulations on their significant victory in the city Corporation, a strong showing that marks a notable shift in the capital’s political landscape."
He noted that the voters desired a change from 45 years of LDF rule: "The people’s verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in my constituency."
The Kerala local body elections were held in two phases on December 9 and December 11. The State Election Commission reported the overall voter turnout at 73.69 per cent.
The results are expected to impact political alignments and campaign strategies ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections scheduled for 2026.
Also read: Shashi Tharoor slams deportation of Hindi scholar
Follow us
