Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], May 4 (ANI): The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) surged to a landslide victory in Kerala, marking a significant political shift in the state after a decade of Left Democratic Front (LDF) rule, according to the results of the 2026 Assembly elections.
The UDF secured a majority with 102 seats in the 140-member Assembly, with the Congress winning 63 seats and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) adding 22. The LDF was reduced to 35 seats, with the CPI(M) winning 26 and the CPI securing eight. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won three seats, improving on its previous performance.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan retained his Dharmadam seat in Kannur, securing 85,614 votes and defeating UDF candidate V.P. Abdul Rasheed by a margin of 19,247 votes. Vijayan had previously won the seat with a margin exceeding 50,000 votes in 2021.
Despite the Chief Minister’s victory, several senior ministers in his cabinet were defeated. Health Minister Veena George lost the Aranmula seat to Congress candidate Abin Varkey Kodiyattu, while O.R. Kelu was defeated in Mananthavady by Usha Vijayan of the Congress.
Former CPI(M) leader G. Sudhakaran, contesting as an independent from Ambalapuzha, won with 75,184 votes, defeating CPI(M)’s H. Salam by a margin of 27,935 votes. In Payyannur, CPI(M) rebel V. Kunhikrishnan, also contesting as an independent, defeated the party’s T.I. Madhusoodanan by 7,487 votes.
In Taliparamba, T.K. Govindan, who joined the UDF after leaving the CPI(M), defeated P.K. Shyamala, ending the party’s long-standing dominance in the constituency since 1977.
CPI(M) leaders K.N. Balagopal, Muhammed Riyas, and Saji Cherian managed to retain their respective seats in Kottarakara, Beypore, and Chengannur.
Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K. Mani lost his Pala stronghold to UDF-backed independent Mani C. Kappen, while Roshy Augustine was defeated by Congress candidate Roy K. Paulose. Kadakampally Surendran lost the Kazhakoottam seat to BJP’s V. Muraleedharan.
In Thiruvananthapuram, the NDA, led by state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, secured the Nemom seat, defeating LDF minister V. Sivankutty. The BJP also won in Chathannoor, where B.B. Gopakumar defeated R. Rajendran of the CPI(M).
Chandrasekhar said the election outcome reflected public dissatisfaction with the CPI(M). “These elections were more about rejecting the CPI(M). We have presented a comprehensive vision for development and opportunities for all Malayalis,” he said.
The Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) registered notable victories, with Vishnu Mohan defeating senior CPI(M) leader M. Naushad in Eravipuram. The party also won in Chavara and Kunnathur, with Shibu Baby John and Ullas Kovur emerging victorious.
IUML’s Fathima Thahliya won the Perambra seat, becoming the party’s first woman MLA.
Congress leaders K.C. Venugopal and Sunny Joseph described the outcome as a clear verdict against the LDF government, citing allegations of corruption, nepotism, and anti-people policies.
Addressing a press conference, Sunny Joseph thanked voters for the mandate, calling it a decisive rejection of the ruling front.
CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan said the party would conduct a comprehensive review of the results. Minister P. Rajeev described the outcome as an “unexpected setback” and said the LDF would work as a constructive opposition going forward.
Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar accepted the resignation of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and asked him to continue in office until alternative arrangements are made, according to an official statement.
In the 2016 Assembly elections, the LDF had won 91 seats, while the UDF secured 47. In 2021, the LDF increased its tally to 99 seats, breaking a decades-long trend of alternating governments, while the UDF was reduced to 41 seats. (ANI)
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