Thiruvananthapuram: In a landmark development in Kerala’s political landscape, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has secured a historic majority in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, ending the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) uninterrupted control of the state capital since 1980. The NDA won 50 of the 101 seats in the corporation in the local body elections held on December 13, paving the way for the Bharatiya Janata Party to have its first-ever Mayor in Kerala.
The result marks a significant breakthrough for the BJP in a state long dominated by the Left and the Congress. The LDF, led by the ruling CPI(M), suffered a major setback, managing to win only 29 seats in Thiruvananthapuram, while the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) secured 19 seats. Political observers have described the outcome as a turning point that reflects changing voter preferences, particularly in urban centres.
Beyond the state capital, the NDA also registered notable gains by winning the Thripunithura municipality for the first time and retaining control of the Palakkad municipality for a third consecutive term. These victories have contributed to a rise in the NDA’s statewide vote share, which is estimated to have climbed to around 22–23 per cent, indicating the alliance’s growing acceptance at the grassroots level.
Despite the NDA’s surge, the UDF emerged as the overall leader in the local body elections, winning four of the six municipal corporations and securing a clear majority across gram panchayats, block panchayats and municipalities. Kozhikode Corporation remained a notable exception where the UDF did not perform as strongly.
Leaders across political parties view the election results as an early indicator of shifting voter moods ahead of the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, suggesting a more competitive and multi-cornered political contest in the years to come.
