The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retained control of the Palakkad municipality for the third consecutive term by securing 25 of the 53 seats in the municipal council.
The BJP secured 25 seats despite facing the biggest infighting. In the outgoing assembly, the party had 28 seats, while in 2015, when it first came to power, it secured 24 seats.
Despite falling short of a majority by two seats, the BJP as the party with the maximum number of representatives will continue to rule the municipality as the UDF secured only 17 seats and the LDF eight. The Independents, including the rebel UDF, also won there.
Any possibility of the LDF supporting the UDF or the UDF accepting the LDF’s support to oust the BJP in Palakkad seems highly unlikely as the two fronts are arch-rivals and such an arrangement would go against their stated political stances.
The BJP won the seats
BJP won Ayyapuram West, Kalpathy East, Thonippalayam, Kumarapuram, Mattumantha, Murukani, Puthur South, Puthur North, Sekharipuram, Ayyapuram East, Manappullikkavu, Koppam, Sulthanpetta, Mankavu, Kaikutupharamba, V Kunnattikharavame East, V Kunnattikharavayam, South Ward Sreerampalayam, Melamuri, Meparamba, Karnaginagar West, Vadakkanthara and Jainamedu.
UDF won Olavakode Central, Kalpathy, Kunnumpuram, Kallepulli North, Kallepulli South, Narikuthi, Kunnathurmedu North, Chierakkadu, Kenathuparamba, Poolakkad, Vennakkara South, Vennakkara Central, Thirunellayi East, Thirunellayi Kott West, Kallikidanadu, Nuuran
LDF won Valiyapadam, Parakunnam, Vadakumuri, Civil Station, Murikavu, West Yakara, Yakara Central and Othungode wards, while Independents claimed Vithunni, Pallipuram and Olavakode South wards.
Major wins
BJP state treasurer E. Krishnadas defeated UDF’s Vinod Pattikkara by 415 votes in Pattikkara ward. Mr. Krishnadas, a former BJP Palakkad district president and vice-chairman of the outgoing city council, is being portrayed as a strong contender for the post of city chairman.
BJP district secretary P. Smithesh defeated Congress leader K. Bhavadase in Murukani ward by 87 votes. In 2020, Mr. Bhavadas won as a UDF rebel.
The Congress is lamenting the loss of several potential seats as well as key leaders, including Mr Bhavadas and PV Rajesh. In Koppam ward, Mr. Rajesh was defeated by BJP’s M. Sasikumar by 54 votes. A former municipal chairman, Mr. Rajesh’s seniority and experience were considered by the Congress while fielding him.
UDF cadres feel that the sexual abuse allegations against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil have adversely affected the party’s prospects in the municipality. Many neutral voters were reportedly diverted from the UDF due to the MLA controversy. Besides, several Congress workers feel that if he cooperated with them and kept a clean image, the UDF could achieve better results in the village.
Published – 13 Dec 2025 20:14 IST
