THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Left Front has won a landslide victory in the local body elections in the state, strengthening its hopes for continuity in the state administration after defeating the storms unleashed by controversies, opposition attacks and central agencies' investigations with the shield of development achievements.

The LDF, which shattered the UDF's hopes even in the strongholds, made waves in district, village and block panchayats. There was a slight decline only in urban areas. The NDA, which had hoped to gain ground in the corruption allegations against both the fronts, made a slight advancement over 2015. None of the weapons used by the opposition against the Left Front, including the gold smuggling case, are in line with the government's development politics.

Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta district panchayats sided with the LDF after Jose K. Mani's 'left entry'. The LDF captured Kottayam after 25 years.

The UDF had to pay a heavy price for expelling Jose over the Kottayam District Panchayat dispute. PJ Joseph, on the other hand, failed to make significant gains.

Left wave in District Panchayat

In 2015, the two fronts shared seven district panchayats, while this time the Left Front won 10 district panchayats, leaving the UDF with two, along with a tie in Wayanad and Kasargod. Block panchayats were 108 for the LDF and 44 for the UDF. In 2015, it was 90-61, respectively.

The UDF improved its position in the Gram Panchayats amid the Left dominance. 515 for LDF and 376 for UDF (549 - 365 in 2015).

Corporation 3-3

Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Kozhikode were won won by the left. With the support of the rebels, a crucial force in the Ernakulam and Thrissur corporations, the LDF will have five corporations in its hands. Last time it was LDF 4 and UDF 2.

UDF makes advances in municipalities

The only consolation was that the UDF, which had won 45 out of 86 municipalities, was able to overcome the LDF, which won 35 seats. The BJP, which came to power as the largest party in the Palakkad municipality, also captured the Pandalam municipality by a large margin.