The ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) won 19 of the 38 local body wards, where bypolls were conducted on Monday, in Keralam, suffering setbacks, both in terms of seats won and margin of votes, at the hands of the rival CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF).
The two divisions fall under the Chirayankeezhu Assembly constituency where internal divisions within the Congress had been reported earlier this month. The UDF also suffered heavily in Varkala and Chirayankeezhu block panchayats, losing divisions in both places, to the LDF. The UDF managed to win the Kallara district panchayat division in Thiruvananthapuram, but it’s victory margin fell steeply compared to 2025.
Another defeat came in Paruthikkavu division in Chittur – Thathamangalam municipality where UDF candidate K Madhu lost to LDF candidate V Thulasidharan through lottery as both candidates got equal votes. UDF retained Ayyappankavu division of Kochi Corporation and the ninth ward of Vadakkekkara panchayat, while LDF won Parakkadavu-Puliyanam. Twenty20 won in Poothrikka, leaving Congress and Twenty20 with seven seats each in the panchayat.
Coincidentally, the division was represented by Congress MLA Sumesh Achuthan before his election as legislator. The byelections, held four months after the V D Satheesan-led govt assumed office, also saw the front lose wards represented by its MLAs. The Anjuthengu victory gave LDF a majority in Mangalam panchayat.
Earlier reporting noted: Thiruvananthapuram : Congress-led UDF suffered a setback in byelections held to 38 local body wards, winning only 19 seats — down from the 22 it held earlier — while its victory margins shrank sharply in several wards. LDF won the Mangalam-Mundakkal district panchayat ward by 139 votes and the Anjuthengu block panchayat division.
Earlier reporting noted: Congress suffered a major setback in Chirayinkeezhu in Thiruvananthapuram, losing two seats amid factional disputes and a scuffle involving MLA Ramya Haridas. Earlier reporting noted: In Ernakulam, the fronts largely retained their existing seats.
