Kerala’s political landscape witnessed a dramatic shift as the results of the local body elections signalled a new phase in urban politics. For decades, the state’s civic institutions, especially in major cities, had been dominated by the Left Democratic Front, shaping governance and voter expectations.
This time, however, the verdict delivered a surprise. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance emerged with historic gains, breaking long-standing patterns and redrawing the balance of power in key urban centres.
The capture of prestigious civic bodies has not only altered local governance equations but has also sent a strong political message ahead of the state assembly elections, indicating changing voter moods in Kerala’s cities.
BJP-Led NDA Scripts History in Kerala
The BJP-led NDA recorded its most significant breakthrough by winning control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, ending decades of Left dominance in the state capital. This result marks the first time the NDA has emerged as the leading force in the city’s civic administration.
With this victory, the NDA has firmly positioned itself as a serious contender in Kerala’s urban political space, a region where it has traditionally struggled to convert vote share into governing power.
The outcome is being seen as a watershed moment that could reshape the state’s political narrative going forward.
Thiruvananthapuram Corporation: Numbers Tell the Story
In the 101-member Thiruvananthapuram Corporation council, the NDA secured 50 wards, emerging as the single largest bloc. The ruling Left Democratic Front was reduced to 29 seats, while the Congress-led United Democratic Front won 19 wards.
Two seats went to Independent candidates, and polling in one ward was cancelled following the death of a candidate. Despite falling short of an outright majority by a narrow margin, the NDA’s tally placed it in a commanding position to form the next administration.
The scale of the shift underscored voter willingness to experiment with alternatives after decades of uninterrupted Left control.
End of a 45-Year LDF Hold
The result effectively brought to an end the LDF’s 45-year dominance over the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. For generations of voters, Left rule in the capital had been a constant feature of civic governance.
The NDA’s success reflects growing dissatisfaction with long-term incumbency and a desire for administrative change at the local level.
Political observers believe this development could have a cascading effect on voter behaviour across other urban centres in the state.
Political Significance of the Capital City Win
Thiruvananthapuram holds symbolic and strategic importance in Kerala politics. The district is also the home turf of senior Congress leader and sitting MP Shashi Tharoor, adding further weight to the BJP’s breakthrough.
The NDA’s performance in such a high-profile constituency highlights its expanding appeal beyond traditional support bases.
This victory is expected to influence campaign strategies of all major parties in the run-up to the next assembly elections.
Reactions Reflect Democratic Maturity
Reacting to the results, political leaders across parties acknowledged the significance of the verdict. Shashi Tharoor described the outcome as a day of “amazing results” for Kerala’s democracy.
He congratulated the Congress-led UDF for its overall performance while also recognising the BJP’s historic win in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
His remarks emphasised respect for the people’s mandate, even when it favours rival political formations.
Voters Signal Desire for Change
According to political analysts, the verdict reflects a clear desire among urban voters for change in governance style and priorities.
Issues such as infrastructure, service delivery, transparency and urban development are believed to have influenced voter choices.
The results suggest that urban electorates are increasingly willing to cross traditional ideological lines in pursuit of effective local governance.
NDA’s Breakthrough in Tripunithura Municipality
The NDA also registered a major success in Tripunithura Municipality in Ernakulam district, where it secured a narrow majority in the 53-member council.
Winning 21 seats, the NDA edged past the LDF, which secured 20 seats, while the UDF finished third with 12 seats.
This marked the first time the BJP has gained control of the Tripunithura Municipal Council.
Shift From Traditional Bipolar Contest
Tripunithura had historically alternated between the LDF and the UDF, reflecting Kerala’s long-standing bipolar political structure.
The NDA’s victory represents a sharp departure from this pattern, signalling the emergence of a competitive third force in municipal politics.
The closely fought contest highlighted the NDA’s growing organisational strength at the grassroots level.
Comparison With Previous Election Cycle
In the 2020 local body elections, when Tripunithura had 49 wards, the CPI(M) had emerged as the largest party with 23 seats, while the BJP had won 17.
The expansion of the council to 53 wards in the latest elections coincided with a decisive shift in voter preference.
The numbers point to steady gains made by the NDA over successive election cycles.
BJP Retains Palakkad Municipality
The NDA also successfully retained control of the Palakkad Municipality, consolidating its position in another key urban centre.
The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 25 seats, while the UDF secured 18 seats and the LDF was pushed back to nine.
Palakkad continues to remain one of the BJP’s strongest municipal bases in Kerala.
Urban Focus Drives NDA Gains
The NDA’s performance across Thiruvananthapuram, Tripunithura and Palakkad highlights a clear urban-centric breakthrough.
Analysts suggest that targeted campaigning, local leadership and emphasis on civic issues played a role in converting support into seats.
This trend could encourage the alliance to further strengthen its urban outreach ahead of future elections.
Polling Phases and Voter Turnout
The Kerala local body elections were conducted in two phases on December 9 and December 11.
According to the State Election Commission, the overall voter turnout stood at 73.69 per cent, reflecting strong public participation.
Turnout was recorded at 70.91 per cent in the first phase and 76.08 per cent in the second, indicating sustained voter engagement.
Implications for Kerala Assembly Elections
The results are widely expected to influence political alignments and campaign narratives ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections scheduled for 2026.
The BJP’s urban successes will likely be closely studied by rival parties as they reassess strategies and voter outreach.
For the NDA, the victories provide momentum and a proof of concept that urban Kerala is no longer out of reach.
A Turning Point in Kerala’s Political Story
The local body election results have marked a turning point in Kerala’s civic politics, breaking long-held assumptions about voter loyalty.
By wresting control of iconic institutions from the Left, the BJP-led NDA has altered the state’s political equations.
As Kerala looks ahead to larger electoral battles, the impact of this urban shift is likely to resonate well beyond municipal councils.
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About the Author:
Harshit Raj
