UDF Takes Command in Kerala as LDF Falls Behind in Assembly Race
Congress led alliance crosses majority mark while Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan trails in his own constituency
The Congress led United Democratic Front has surged ahead in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, moving past the majority mark in the 140 member House and positioning itself to form the next government.
Early counting trends show the UDF leading in around 100 seats. The Left Democratic Front, led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), is ahead in about 42 seats, while the BJP led National Democratic Alliance is leading in just one.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunny Joseph thanked voters across Kerala for what he described as a strong and decisive mandate.
In a significant development, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is trailing in his home constituency of Dharmadam, raising questions about the Left’s hold in its traditional strongholds.
The UDF has retained dominance in key regions like Ernakulam and Malappuram. It has also made notable gains in areas that were previously considered Left strongholds, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kozhikode, and Palakkad. The alliance is also leading in all five constituencies in Idukki.
The Indian Union Muslim League has delivered a strong performance, leading in 24 out of the 27 seats it contested. The party has secured a clean sweep in Malappuram, reinforcing its influence in the region.
For the Left, the results indicate setbacks even in long held bastions such as Kannur. Constituencies like Payyannur, Mattannur, and Dharmadam are showing unexpected trends with the LDF trailing.
Celebrations broke out at the KPCC headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram as senior Congress leaders including V D Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala, Shashi Tharoor, and K C Venugopal joined party workers. Leaders of the IUML also marked the occasion with celebrations at Panakkad.
The counting is still underway, but the early trends clearly point towards a major political shift in Kerala.