LDF crushed in corporations, UDF wins 505 panchayats and 54 municipalities

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The outcome of the current local body elections has surpassed even the strong UDF wave seen in the 2010 polls, held just before the Oommen Chandy government came to power. The shift is especially evident in the results of municipal corporations. In 2010, the LDF controlled three corporations. This time, despite holding power in five of the six corporations, the LDF managed to retain only Kozhikode. The UDF, on the other hand, retained Kannur, brought Kollam Corporation under its control for the first time in nearly 50 years, and seized Ernakulam and Thrissur corporations from the Left.

At the district panchayat level, the LDF retained power in Wayanad, Ernakulam and Malappuram, while the UDF captured Kozhikode, Idukki, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta from the Left. Only one district panchayat saw a tie, with both the LDF and UDF securing seven seats each.

The UDF emerged victorious in 505 of the 941 grama panchayats across the state. In municipalities, the alliance secured power in 54 of the 86, improving on its tally of 41 in the previous election. In the 152 block panchayats, the UDF won 78. The Twenty20 party managed to retain control only in Kizhakambalam.

The swearing-in ceremonies are scheduled for December 21. The Election Commission will announce the schedule for the election of Standing Committee chairpersons and other posts later. The Model Code of Conduct will remain in force until December 18.

LDF’s failed strategy

• The LDF had relied on outreach programmes, increased welfare pensions and the announcement of women’s safety pensions to win voter support.
• It expected to secure minority votes in North Kerala and majority community support in South Kerala through the Ayyappa summit. It also strongly projected the issue involving Rahul Mamkootathil. However, these strategies failed to deliver the expected results.

UDF’s Winning Formula

• The UDF capitalised on strong anti-incumbency sentiment.
• It made the Sabarimala gold theft case a major campaign issue, repeatedly highlighting the CPM’s refusal to expel those accused in the case. This resonated across communities.
• The alliance also maintained a clear secular stance and focused on local, people-centric issues. Its well-planned campaign was reflected in gains such as increasing its seat count in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation from 10 to 19.

BJP focused on development

• The BJP focused its campaign primarily on development, deliberately avoiding issues that could alienate Hindu voters. It publicly maintained that Sabarimala was not an election issue.
• The party also sought to highlight what it described as the state government’s failure to effectively utilise central assistance, while presenting its own development plans for implementation if elected.