Early trends in the counting of votes for Kerala’s local body elections indicate a significant turnaround in the state’s corporations, with the United Democratic Front (UDF) emerging ahead in four of the six civic bodies. The trends mark a potential reversal from the 2020 elections, when the Left Democratic Front (LDF) had dominated the urban centres by winning five of the six corporations.

While the UDF appears set to regain ground across key cities, the BJP-led NDA has made notable gains in select pockets, particularly in the capital. The LDF, meanwhile, is facing stiff resistance in several of its traditional urban strongholds.

Thiruvananthapuram
The NDA has taken the lead in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, where it had emerged as the runner-up in the 2020 local body elections. Of the 55 seats, the NDA is leading in 27, followed by the LDF with 16 and the UDF with 11.

In the 2020 elections, the LDF had secured 51 seats, while the NDA and UDF won 34 and 10 seats, respectively.

Kollam
In Kollam, a long-time LDF bastion where the Left has held power for the past 25 years, the UDF has opened up a clear lead in more than 12 seats. The LDF and the NDA are locked in a close contest for second place, pointing to a possible shift in the political balance in the coastal city.

Kochi
The UDF appears poised for a comfortable return to power in the Kochi Corporation, leading in nearly 50 seats. The front had ruled Kochi for two consecutive terms from 2010 to 2020.

In the 2020 elections, the LDF had won 34 seats and formed the council with the support of three UDF rebels, wresting control from the Congress-led front.

Thrissur
The UDF has also taken a strong lead in the Thrissur Corporation, where it is ahead in 34 seats. The LDF is leading in 11 seats, while the NDA is close behind with leads in eight wards.

In the previous elections, the UDF and the LDF had been tied at 24 seats each. The LDF later secured control by backing a Congress rebel as mayor.

Kozhikode
Kozhikode remains the lone corporation offering consolation to the LDF, which is currently leading in 23 seats. The UDF and the NDA are ahead in 17 and 10 seats, respectively.

The LDF had retained control of the Kozhikode Corporation in both 2015 and 2020, winning 50 and 49 councillors respectively.

Kannur
The UDF is likely to retain control of the Kannur Corporation, where it is leading in 27 wards. The LDF and the NDA are ahead in 11 and four wards, respectively.

In the 2020 elections, the UDF had secured 34 councillors in Kannur, while the LDF had won 19 seats.