Panchayats, municipalities and corporations across Kerala saw the swearing-in of newly elected members on Sunday (December 21, 2025), although the focus was on Thiruvananthapuram, where the 50-seat Bharathiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the single largest party in a stunning upset in the 2025 local elections earlier this month.
In the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, UDF’s KR Cleetus, the senior most member, was the first of the 100 councilors to take the oath. Mr. Cleetus then administered the oath to the other aldermen. The BJP councilors arrived in a procession at the Corporation accompanied by party president Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
Former DGP R. Sreelekha of BJP administered the oath in the name of God. She also concluded her oath by saying Vande Matharam. Congress councilor K. Sabarinadhan and several other UDF councilors were sworn in with a copy of the constitution.
BJP councilor Karamana Ajith took oath in Sanskrit.
The function was attended by senior BJP leaders including Prakash Javadekar and former state president Kummanam Rajasekharan along with a large number of party workers.
In the 2025 local body elections, Thiruvananthapuram witnessed a seismic shift with the LDF losing control of 101 civic bodies after more than four decades. The special election to Vizhinjam ward, postponed following the death of a candidate, will be held on January 12.
In Kollam Corporation, UDF’s Karumalil Udaya Sukumaran was the first councilor to take oath. The UDF has 27 seats in the council of 56 wards.
In Ernakulam Corporation, where the UDF won 46 of the 76 seats, UDF’s Nirmala Rajappan, the senior most councillor, was the first to take oath.
In Thrissur Corporation, all 56 members were sworn in at a ceremony held at the Corporation Hall. District Collector Arjun Pandian administered the oath to senior councilor ML Rosy.
In the 76th ward of Kozhikode Corporation, UDF’s Manakkal Sasi, the senior most member, took the first oath. The only corporation in LDF kitty this time, LDF won 35 out of 76 seats here.
In Kannur Corporation, UDF’s TP Jamal was the first to take the oath. The UDF claimed the corporation by winning 36 out of 56 seats.
Newly elected members in grama, block and district panchayats and 86 municipalities also took oath on Sunday. The term of office of the previous councils ended on Saturday, December 20.
SEC guidelines
The taking of pledge/affirmation by new members followed the guidelines issued by the State Election Commission (SEC). The eldest of the elected representatives first took an oath or declaration before an official nominated by the government. In the case of Corporations and District Panchayats, the appointed officers were the District Collectors. The Returning Officers concerned were appointed officers in grama and block panchayats and in case of municipalities specially assigned Returning Officers.
In the 2025 elections, the UDF won four out of six corporations — Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur and Kannur — 505 out of 941 grama panchayats, 79 out of 152 block panchayats, seven out of 14 district panchayats and 54 out of 86 municipalities, according to the SEC. The LDF won the Kozhikode corporation, 340 grama panchayats, 63 block panchayats, seven district panchayats and 28 municipalities. Apart from Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the BJP-led NDA won in 26 grama panchayats and two municipalities.
Mayoral elections on December 26
Chairmen and deputy chairmen of local authorities will be elected on December 26 and 27.
Mayors and presidents of municipalities will be elected on December 26 at 10:30 a.m. Deputy mayors of municipalities and deputy mayors will be elected on the same day at 2:30 p.m. Chairpersons of grama, block and district panchayats will be elected on December 27 at 10:30 am. According to the SEC, the vice-presidents will be elected at 2:30 p.m. on the same day.
Published – 21 Dec 2025 20:22 IST
