BJP ends 45-year Left rule, takes Thiruvananthapuram Corporation

The lotus bloomed in the Kerala capital as the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a landmark victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation elections, wresting control from the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and ending 45 years of uninterrupted Left rule in the civic body.

The outcome is expected to provide a political boost to the BJP ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, particularly in the state capital.

Of the 101 wards in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the BJP won 50 seats, the LDF 29 and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) 19, while two wards were won by independent candidates. The BJP is one seat short of a clear majority.

Beyond the state capital, the NDA retained the Palakkad municipality after a close contest with the UDF and also wrested the Thrippunithura Municipality from the Congress.

In Thrissur district, where actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi won the Lok Sabha seat last year, the BJP recorded gains across multiple local bodies. The party won 18 of the 46 wards in Kodungallur Municipality, eight in Thrissur Corporation, two each in Guruvayoor and Vadakkancherry municipalities, seven in Kunnamkulam Municipality, six in Irinjalakuda Municipality and one in Chalakudy Municipality. It also won four wards in block panchayats and 167 wards in grama panchayats in the district, though it did not secure any seat in the district panchayat.

According to figures released by the State Election Commission at 2.30 pm, the BJP-led front won a total of 1,085 grama panchayat wards and 44 block panchayat wards across Kerala. These include 11 wards in the Kollam Corporation, 13 in Kozhikode Corporation, four in Kannur Corporation and six in Kochi Corporation, where the BJP finished third.

In Thiruvananthapuram, the BJP’s campaign focusing on alleged corruption during the LDF’s tenure appeared to have resonated with voters. The party also highlighted the Sabarimala gold loss issue, which contributed to its performance in Pathanamthitta district, home to the Lord Ayyappa shrine. There, the BJP won 142 grama panchayat wards, six block panchayat wards and 21 municipality wards.

The saffron party secured nine wards, including Pandalam Town and Pandalam Town West, under the Pandalam Municipality, and three wards in the Pandalam block panchayat in Pathanamthitta district.

(With inputs from agencies)