BJP workers celebrate NDA’s victory in Thripunithura village on Saturday. | Photo credit: THULASI KAKKAT
The United Democratic Front (UDF) maintained its dominance in most municipalities in Ernakulam, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) shocked the Left Democratic Front (LDF) by winning Thripunithura for the first time in a photo finish.
The UDF won an impressive 10 out of 13 municipalities, improving on its performance in local polls in 2020 when it won eight municipalities. Eloor municipality was the only relief for the LDF amid the setback it faced in the district. It won the 32-member civic body by securing victory in 15 constituencies, while the UDF increased its tally from seven seats in 2020 to 12 seats this time. The four independents will decide who will rule the Angamaly municipality as the LDF won 13 seats while the UDF won 12 seats.
The UDF won the municipalities of Aluva, Thrikkakara, Piravom, Perumbavoor, North Paravur, Muvattupuzha, Maradu, Kothamangalam, Koothattukulam and Kalamassery.
out of 13 municipalities, the UDF won eight in the 2020 elections. It included thrikkakara, kalamasserry, muvattupuzha, peumbavoor, north paravur, maradu, aluva and abony. LDF secured victory in eloor, koothattukulam, kothamgalam, piravom and thripunara municipalities. At the end of the current council’s tenure in 2025, the UDF increased its total to nine municipalities after the rebel Communist Party of India (Marxist) Kala Raju Council helped a leading writer in the koothattukulam municipality. The front retained the koothattukulam and this time it would be kothamagalam and piravom from LDF.
A neck and neck race
As the counting progressed, a neck-and-neck race was seen between the NDA and the LDF in Thripunithura village. Although the Left Front managed to secure a slight lead in the initial hours, the NDA emerged victorious in the closing stages to become the single largest party with 21 seats. The LDF came a close second with 20 seats, while the UDF improved its performance to 12 seats out of the eight wards it won in 2020.
Thripunithura was considered the biggest stronghold of the BJP among the 13 municipalities in Ernakulam district. The party has served as the main opposition in the temple city, ousting the United Democratic Front (UDF) during the last two terms since 2015. The number of LDF has reduced to 21 of the 25 seats it won in the previous elections. The result came as a shock to the fore as the municipality had been a stronghold of the LDF since its inception in 1978.
Published – 13 Dec 2025 19:58 IST
