People's verdict: UDF suffers setback in local body bypolls, LDF gains ground

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: People may welcome a government with open arms and have high expectations from it. But if it fails to live up to those expectations, they can also respond through their votes. This is the lesson the results of the local body by-elections in 38 wards have given the UDF. It is also a warning that the alliance needs to make corrections.

Coming just five months after the UDF came to power with 102 seats, the result is no small setback. The UDF's tally has fallen from 22 seats to 19. Of the wards represented by seven sitting MLAs, two went to the Left. In five wards, the winning margins fell sharply.

The LDF, meanwhile, increased its tally from 15 to 18 seats and managed to retain the ward of an MLA. While the result came as a shock to the UDF, it provided unexpected relief to the CPM. The UDF lost seven seats and captured four, while the LDF won seven seats and lost four. The NDA retained its lone seat.

The Priyadarshini free travel scheme and the lack of scarcity during the Onam season had made people happy. However, the power crisis and the ministers' pleasure trips before the government had even settled into office appear to have worked against the UDF.

In 2025, UDF candidate Vinu Job won the Thrikkodithanam division of the Kottayam District Panchayat by 743 votes. When a by-election was held after Vinu reached the Assembly from Changanassery, LDF candidate Manju Sujith won the seat with a huge majority of 2,140 votes. The Left victory in the Paruthikkavu ward of Chittur Municipality in Palakkad, where UDF candidate Sumesh Achuthan had won in 2025, was another setback for the UDF.

In the Kuttichira ward of the Kozhikode Corporation, IUML candidate Fathima Tehliya had won by a margin of 2,273 votes in 2025. The margin has now fallen to just 436 votes. In the Pallikkal division of the Wayanad Mananthavady Block Panchayat, Usha Vijayan had secured a majority of 1,055 votes. The UDF has now retained the ward with a margin of just 331 votes.

The LDF also registered surprise victories in the Anchuthengu and Mangalapuram wards in the Chirayinkeezhu Assembly constituency represented by Ramya Haridas. The results are being seen as a response from voters to the controversy and physical altercation within the party.

Left gains ground at district and block levels

Of the three District Panchayat wards, the LDF won two and the UDF one. In the seven Block Panchayat wards, the LDF won five and the UDF one. Of the 23 Grama Panchayat wards, the LDF won seven and the UDF 13. In the three municipal wards, the LDF won two and the UDF one. The UDF retained both Corporation wards.

Reasons cited for dissatisfaction

1. Power cuts continuing without an end in sight
2. The ministers' constant tours and unpopular justifications
3. Questions over whether those who criticised Pinarayi for arrogance are now following the same path
4. The alleged double standards over PM SHRI, helicopter use and air travel
5. Discontent within the party over issues including reorganisation and division of boards