BJP and LDF activists gather during ‘Kottikalasam’, a loud and festive culmination of the election campaign, in Kochi on December 7, 2025. | Photo credit: THULASI KAKKAT
The claims and counter-claims of political fronts over the development took center stage in the district as the public campaign for the local vote ended on Sunday (December 7, 2025). The CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) wrapped up its stormy campaign on Sunday and reaffirmed its image as a champion of development and welfare at the state and local levels, while the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) sought to dispel these claims with initiatives taken under its government. The public election campaign ended on Sunday with the vote scheduled for Tuesday (December 9, 2025).
The mainstream poll narrative in the district got sympathy from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s recent campaign speech in the city in which he listed the achievements of his government and the Kochi Corporation.
LDF supporters dance during the final. | Photo credit: THULASI KAKKAT
The Congress leadership responded to the claims that they are far from reality. “Even the chief minister had nothing to say in Kochi except to claim about projects they did not implement. His desperation to take credit for projects implemented during the UDF government was evident,” said District Congress Committee (DCC) president Mohammed Shiyas.
CPI(M) district secretary S. Sathish said the Congress’s response to the Chief Minister’s speech stemmed from a realization of the ground reality, which was in favor of the Left Front. “During the campaign, we were able to present the development and social measures implemented in the last nine years of the Left government. There is a prevailing feeling that the LDF should remain in power,” he added.
UDF workers are undertaking a bicycle rally. | Photo credit: H. VIBHU
Amid the tattoo tit-for-tat, both fronts exuded confidence to increase their numbers in local bodies in the district. Congress leaders said the organizational machinery was working in an unprecedented manner on the ground and the work, including adding thousands of new voters, was paying off, even as they conceded the threat of rebels in at least a few constituencies. A key strategy of the LDF at the panchayat level was to present to the electorate a comparison of the development and social work done in the local bodies it ruled and those run by the UDF. The UDF has also highlighted allegations against the LDF government, including the ongoing Sabarimala gold theft case, although it says the sexual abuse allegations against expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil will not have an impact on the polls.
Although the UDF is confident of retaining the Ernakulam district panchayat, it has so far failed to overcome the shock of the nomination fiasco in Kadamakudy division. The Congress, sources said, will instruct its cadre to abstain from voting in the division as there is no ‘NOTA’ option in local polls.
A BJP activist carries the party flag during the final event. | Photo credit: THULASI KAKKAT
The BJP launched its campaign on the demands of development and welfare of the Narendra Modi-led central government. “People want the central government’s programs to be implemented at the local level. This sentiment will be reflected in the polls. In Kochi Corporation, the NDA will either become the ruling front or force the LDF and UDF to form a tie and get the deciding number,” said KS Shyju, BJP district president (Ernakulam city).
Published – 8 Dec 2025 0:38 IST
