The results of the local body elections, declared on Saturday (December 13, 2025), confirmed Ernakulam’s political identity as a traditional stronghold of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).
The results, in line with the trend observed across the state, gave the Congress and its allies a clear upper hand in the district, with the people’s mandate swinging in their favor across local bodies. The CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) was restricted to only a handful of local bodies, while the results left the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) smiling as it won Thripunithura municipality. However, the saffron front’s attempts to penetrate the rest of the district have not yet translated into electoral victory.
The UDF registered emphatic victories in the Ernakulam district panchayat and the Kochi corporation, a clear indication of its political clout across the district. While retaining the area panchayat with 25 out of 28 divisions, the front wrested the corporation and won 46 out of 76 divisions in the prestigious battle. In the district panchayat, the LDF is limited to just three seats and 20 in the corporation. While the NDA drew a blank in the district panchayat, its tally increased by one to six in the corporation.
The UDF improved its tally in the district panchayat from 16 in 2020 to 25, this time winning 20 seats with the Congress alone. All the three seats won by the Left Front this time are held by the CPI(M). Notably, Kitex-backed Twenty20’s influence in the district panchayat has waned as it lost both the seats it held in the previous term.
The UDF continued its dominance in the municipalities winning 10 out of 13, an improvement from eight in 2020. While Eloor municipality sided with the LDF, the NDA emerged as the single largest front in Thripunithura for the first time with 21 seats against the LDF’s 20 and the LDF winning 12. seats, so the deciding factor is four independents. The UDF improved its municipal account by wresting Kothamangalam and Piravom from the LDF this time.
Among the 14 block panchayats in the district, the UDF doubled its numbers to 12 from six in 2020. The LDF suffered a major setback as its numbers dropped to one in seven. Vadavukode, which managed to win the twenty last time, threw away the mandate this time.
The UDF emerged as the largest front in 66 of the 82 gram panchayats, while the LDF won 12. Twenty20 retained its stronghold of Kizhakkambalam, albeit with lower numbers. While it swept the Aikkaranad panchayat, the UDF wrested Kunnathunad from it.
In Munambam Kadappuram ward of Pallippuram panchayat, the epicenter of the Munambam Waqf land dispute, BJP won while LDF won majority in the panchayat.
Published – 13 Dec 2025 21:03 IST
