With the civic elections around the corner, the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) are making a strong push to strengthen their presence in the local bodies of Malappuram, the district that boasts the highest number of panchayats and municipalities.
The UDF has a strong position in Malappuram district, ruling the district panchayat with 26 out of 32 divisions, winning the 2020 local body elections. It controls 68 out of 92 grama panchayats, nine out of 12 municipalities and 12 out of 15 block panchayats in the district.
In the 2020 elections, the UDF retained its unity in most local bodies in Malappuram. However, it faced internal conflicts in panchayats such as Ponmundam, Karuvarakundu and Makkaraparamba, where the Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) were at odds despite efforts by the UDF leadership for reconciliation.
The rift between the Congress and IUML in Ponmundam, Karuvarakundu and Makkaraparamba panchayats proved challenging for the UDF district leadership. Infighting cost the UDF dearly, with the Karuvarakundu panchayat slipping to the LDF due to factional fighting.
The UDF is optimistic about strengthening its influence in the district this time as it has taken up most of the local issues, barring differences in Ponmundam, Karuvarakundu and Makkaraparamba panchayats.
The district leadership hopes to resolve the internal differences in the panchayats and reach a mutually acceptable solution for the 281 new wards created by the recent delimitation.
The LDF’s organizational apparatus in Malappuram appears weaker compared to the previous local body elections. Any gains for the LDF are likely to come from the UDF’s internal conflicts rather than its own strength, potentially increasing its holding of 24 panchayats, three municipalities and three block panchayats.
Even as the LDF is trying to capitalize on the rift in the IUML Congress in some constituencies, the Congress and IUML leaders are working to resolve issues at the local level before the elections are called. According to them, reconciliation will be tougher after the election is announced.
The IUML is said to be following a three-term policy for local body elections, where candidates who have contested three times are not given seats. But the party did not officially announce it.
The UDF’s victory in the Nilambur Assembly elections held in June this year and the winning of the seat from the LDF gave the front a boost.
The BJP, despite being a minor player in the district, has one or two wards each in panchayats like Vallikkunnu, Chelembra, Vazhakkad, Vazhayur, Purathur, Nannamukku, Moorkkanad, Edayur, Edappal, Edakkara and Angadipuram. But the party leadership is optimistic about strengthening its presence in the district.
Published – 03 Nov 2025 21:28 IST
