BJP workers celebrate in Thripunithura after the results of local body elections were announced on December 13. The NDA won 21 of the 53 constituencies in the municipality. | Photo credit: THULASI KAKKAT
The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is poised to take power in Thripunithura on the basis of being the single largest bloc, albeit without a simple majority, after the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and United Democratic Front (UDF), which emerged second and third respectively, ruled out any potential joining hands to retain saffron.
The election produced a tie verdict in the 53-member municipality, with the NDA winning 21 seats against the LDF’s 20 and the UDF’s 12 seats. While the verdict proved a setback for the LDF, which had been in power and dominated the municipality since its formation in 1978, for the BJP it marked the zenith of its growing influence in the temple city.
“Our candidates will contest the elections for the post of chairman and vice-chairman and rule the municipality. We don’t see the rival fronts coming together against us. If they field a common candidate, we will expose them before the voters,” said KS Shaiju, district BJP president. The NDA parliamentary party will meet on Tuesday and recommend candidates for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker to the state leadership for approval before releasing the names on Wednesday.
Both the LDF and the UDF have said that they will also field separate candidates for the post of chairman and vice-chairman. CPI(M) district secretary S. Satish ruled out any truck with the Congress or the UDF.
Ernakulam District Congress Committee President Muhammed Shiyas accused the LDF of ceding seats considered CPI(M) strongholds to the NDA. “There is no point in allying with the LDF, which will be difficult to explain to the public. We have decided to field candidates rather than stay away from the election of the chairman and deputy chairman,” he said.
The BJP opened its account in the municipality in 2010 with a single seat before increasing it to 13 to displace the UDF as the main opposition in 2015. Five years later, it further improved the tally to 15 before adding two more seats in mid-term by-elections.
Published – 16 Dec 2025 20:44 IST
