The strong performance of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in the recent civic body elections has propelled the party to the third place in the State in terms of civic body representation.
By securing 3,203 seats across Corporations, municipalities and the three tiers of panchayats, the IUML now ranks just behind the Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] in the State. The party significantly improved on its tally of 2,338 seats it won in 2020 by winning 865 more seats in the latest elections.
However, a notable aspect of the IUML’s performance is that it secured more seats outside Malappuram district than within it. While the party won 1,456 seats in Malappuram, it captured a larger tally of 1,747 seats in the rest of Kerala.
“We have demonstrated that the IUML is not a party confined to Malappuram district. We secured seats in every district, from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod. That is a creditable achievement this time,” said IUML State secretary Abdurahman Randathani.
In Pathanamthitta district, the IUML ended its dry spell by securing seven local body seats for the first time. Across the southern districts of Kerala, the party now has 285 councillors in panchayats, municipalities, and Corporations. Several non-Muslim candidates, including Christian, have been elected on the IUML symbol.
In all districts
The party improved its performance across all districts. In Kasaragod, its tally rose from 196 to 263 seats; in Kannur, from 223 to 262; in Wayanad, from 106 to 178; in Kozhikode, from 384 to 497; in Malappuram, from 1,103 to 1,456; in Palakkad, from 171 to 262; in Thrissur, from 42 to 85; in Ernakulam, from 41 to 88; in Idukki, from 20 to 35; in Alappuzha, from 13 to 18; in Kottayam, from 17 to 20; in Pathanamthitta, from zero to seven; in Kollam, from 16 to 19; and in Thiruvananthapuram, from six to 13 seats.
“Our victory reflects the wider acceptance of the IUML’s political stance in the State. We have never been communal. We have consistently taken the lead in demonstrating how a political party should respond with positivity and humanitarian concern whenever crises have struck Kerala. The COVID-19 pandemic and the Wayanad landslide disaster are examples,” said Mr. Randathani, explaining the party’s success across the State.
The party won 2,248 seats in grama panchayats, nearly 13% of the total in the State, along with 300 block panchayat seats, 51 district panchayat seats, 568 municipal seats and 36 Corporation seats.
More women
IUML State president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal said he was delighted that the party had brought many educated women into the forefront of civic governance in the State. According to him, the IUML’s contribution to the empowerment of Muslim women in society surpassed that of any other organisation.
The party sees its State-wide performance – especially in Malappuram, where it won 11 of 12 municipalities, 14 of 15 block panchayats, the entire district panchayat council, and over 80 grama panchayats in alliance with the Congress – as a strong foundation for the upcoming Assembly elections.
Published – December 18, 2025 08:06 pm IST
