UDF sweeps 10 municipalities in Ernakulam

The United Democratic Front (UDF) retained its supremacy in the majority of the municipalities in Ernakulam, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) gave a shocker to the Left Democratic Front (LDF) as it won Thripunithura for the first time in a photo finish.

The UDF earned an impressive win in 10 of the 13 municipalities as it improved upon its performance in the 2020 local body polls, when it had won eight municipalities. Eloor municipality was the only relief for the LDF amidst the setback it faced in the district. It won the 32-member civic body by securing victory in 15 wards, while the UDF increased its tally from seven seats in 2020 to 12 seats this time. Four Independents will decide who will rule the Angamaly municipality as the LDF won 13 seats while the UDF bagged 12 seats.

The UDF won Aluva, Thrikkakara, Piravom, Perumbavoor, North Paravur, Muvattupuzha, Maradu, Kothamangalam, Koothattukulam, and Kalamassery municipalities.

Of the 13 municipalities, the UDF had won eight in the 2020 elections. It included Thrikkakara, Kalamassery, Muvattupuzha, Perumbavoor, North Paravur, Maradu, Aluva and Angamaly. The LDF had secured victory in Eloor, Koothattukulam, Kothamangalam, Piravom and Thripunithura municipalities. At the end of the term of the present council in 2025, the UDF increased its overall tally to nine municipalities after rebel Communist Party of India (Marxist) councillor Kala Raju helped the front wrest power in Koothattukulam municipality. The front retained Koothattukulam and wrested Kothamangalam and Piravom from the LDF this time.

Neck-and-neck race

A neck-and-neck race was visible between the NDA and the LDF in the Thripunithura municipality as the counting progressed. Though the Left front managed to secure a slight lead in the initial hours, the NDA surged ahead in the final phase to emerge as the single largest party with 21 seats. The LDF came a close second, with 20 seats, while the UDF improved its performance to 12 seats from the eight wards it had won in 2020.

Thripunithura was considered as the BJP’s biggest stronghold among the 13 municipalities in Ernakulam district. The party had served as the principal opposition in the temple town, dislodging the United Democratic Front (UDF) over the last two terms since 2015. The LDF’s tally came down to 21 from the 25 seats it had won in the previous election. The outcome came as a jolt to the front as the municipality was an LDF stronghold since its formation in 1978.