Thiruvananthapuram | Thirteen members of the 21-member LDF cabinet led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan were defeated in the Kerala Assembly elections as the ruling front suffered a major setback across the state.
Of the 21 ministers, only the Chief Minister, K Rajan (Revenue), G R Anil (Civil Supplies), K N Balagopal (Finance), P Prasad (Agriculture), and Saji Cherian (Cultural Affairs) emerged victorious.
Among the key losers was Health Minister Veena George, who was contesting from Aranmula for the third time.
George, who had faced criticism over multiple alleged medical negligence incidents during the final year of the LDF government, lost to Congress candidate Abin Varkey by a margin of 18,985 votes.
Varkey secured 70,083 votes against George's 51,098, while senior BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan finished third with 34,983 votes.
In a surprise result, Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan, considered among the more popular cabinet members, lost to Congress candidate Nattakom Suresh by 19,752 votes in Ettumanoor, Kottayam.
Education Minister V Sivankutty put up a close fight against BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Nemom constituency in Thiruvananthapuram but lost by over 3,500 votes.
Another high-profile defeat was that of Kerala Congress (B) leader and Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar, who suffered defeat for the first time in his electoral career since 2001.
He lost to Congress candidate Jyothi Kumar Chamakkala by 8,310 votes.
LDF Minister Roshy Augustine of Kerala Congress (M) also suffered a heavy defeat in Idukki, losing to Congress candidate Roy K Paulose by 23,822 votes.
Industries Minister P Rajeev was defeated in Kalamassery in Ernakulam district, losing to IUML leader V E Abdul Gafoor by 16,312 votes.
CPI leader and minister J Chinchurani lost to Congress candidate M M Naseer by over 7,400 votes in Chadayamangalam.
Veteran leader and minister Kadannappally Ramachandran of Congress (Secular) was defeated by Congress candidate T O Mohanan by over 18,530 votes.
Minister O R Kelu lost to Congress candidate Usha Vijayan by 10,543 votes in Mananthavady, Wayanad.
Another surprise defeat was that of NCP (SP) leader and minister A K Saseendran, who lost by 12,162 votes in Elathur, Kozhikode, to Congress candidate Vidya Balakrishnan.
Local Self-Government Minister M B Rajesh was another casualty of the UDF wave, losing to Congress leader V T Balram by 8,385 votes.
Higher Education Minister R Bindu lost to Kerala Congress leader Thomas Unniyadan in Irinjalakuda, Thrissur district, by 10,212 votes.
Sports Minister V Abdurahiman, contesting from Tirur in Malappuram, lost to IUML's Kurukkoli Moideen by 24,137 votes.
Kollam (Kerala) | Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal on Monday secured a narrow victory in the Kottarakkara constituency in the April 9 state assembly polls, as he faced a tough fight from former CPI(M) leader Aisha Potty, who had joined the Congress in January this year.
Balagopal, who got 63,926 votes, won with just a margin of 1,012, against Potty who had won three times consecutively from the Kottarakkara constituency in the 2006, 2011 and 2016 assembly polls as a CPI(M) candidate.
Potty, in 2016, had secured 83,443 votes and won with a margin of over 40,000 votes from the constituency.
In 2021, Balagopal was fielded from the seat and got 68,770 seats, winning by a margin of 10,814.
Besides, state PWD and Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas, Balagopal is the only CPI(M) minister to survive the Left rout by the UDF in the Assembly polls.
However, by comparison, three out of the 4 CPI ministers in the second LDF government have healthy leads in the Assembly polls as the counting of votes nears the end.
State Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development J Chinchurani, from the CPI, is trailing by over 7,000 votes in her Chadayamangalam constituency as the counting heads into the last round, as per Election Commission data.
New Delhi | With the Congress-led UDF bagging a major win in the Kerala polls, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday thanked the people of the state for their overwhelming support and vowed to work diligently towards building a better future for them.
In a post on X, Gandhi said, "To all my brothers and sisters in Keralam, thank you for your faith and for your overwhelming support. The trust you have placed in us will be the UDF's guiding force as we work hard towards building a better future for each one of you."
"I sincerely hope that our gratitude to you will be evident each day of the next five years as we strive to fulfil our commitments to you with honesty and humility," she added.
"To my family in Wayanad, you have renewed your belief in the UDF with a resounding mandate - 7 out of 7 seats!! You now have 8 representatives working together towards the development of Wayanad! We will do all we can to live up to your expectations," the MP from Wayanad said.
"To the workers and leaders of the UDF who worked day and night to take our message of a united and progressive Keralam to every household, my heartiest congratulations, best wishes and gratitude for your tireless efforts," Gandhi's post read.
According to the Election Commission website, the UDF was leading or had won in over 95 constituencies and appears poised to secure a comfortable majority in the 140-member House. The UDF is set to form the government after a decade of LDF rule in the state.
Thiruvananthapuram | AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal on Monday said the Congress-led UDF's sweeping victory in the Kerala Assembly polls was a clear verdict against the "arrogance", corruption, and nepotism of the CPI(M)-led LDF government headed by CM Pinarayi Vijayan.
Addressing a press conference as counting of votes for all 140 Assembly constituencies neared completion, Venugopal said the outcome reflected public anger against what he termed "10 years of misrule" by the Left government.
He claimed that Vijayan's victory in his home constituency, Dharmadam, was "only technical", alleging that the CM trailed the UDF candidate in the initial rounds of counting and failed to secure a majority in his own village.
"He just escaped. He suffered a setback even in his home turf. He was the only person who did not realise the people's mood in this election," Venugopal said.
Alleging that the CPI(M) and the LDF had resorted to "communal and opportunistic politics", he further claimed that the ruling front had entered into a "secret understanding" with the BJP in a bid to retain power for a third consecutive term.
He said that when a government driven by power and arrogance attempts to align with anyone to stay in office, even its own cadre turns against it.
Referring to the results, Venugopal said that while the UDF expected rebel CPI(M) leaders, including K Kunhikrishnan in Payyannur, to impact the vote share, their victories came as a surprise.
Describing the UDF's performance as a "historic victory", he attributed it to coordinated teamwork, grassroots mobilisation, and the dedication of party workers, adding that the alliance accepted the mandate "with humility".
Venugopal also credited Rahul Gandhi's campaign guarantees, calling them a "trump card" that helped voters focus on real issues and reject what he described as the LDF's "false narratives".
He claimed that the Congress witnessed one of its lowest levels of rebellion in this election, which contributed to the alliance's strong performance.
The senior Congress leader further alleged that the BJP managed to win two seats with the help of the CPI(M), and asserted that forces attempting to divide society on communal lines should "learn a lesson" from Kerala's verdict.
"This is the real Kerala story," he said.
On the question of the next Chief Minister, Venugopal said the party leadership would decide at the earliest after due consultations.
The counting of votes began on Monday morning for all 140 Assembly constituencies in Kerala, where the Congress-led UDF secured a decisive majority, defeating the CPI(M)-led LDF, which was seeking an unprecedented third consecutive term in office.
Thiruvananthapuram | Three Lotuses bloomed in Kerala as the BJP on Monday won from the Nemom, Kazhakoottam and Chathannoor constituencies in the April 9 Assembly polls.
BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar confirmed that the party-led NDA won from the Nemom and Chathannoor constituencies, and termed it as a reply to the Congress and CPI(M)'s assertions that it will not get even one seat.
"Today, the people of Nemom and Chathanoor have a given a clear reply to the Congress and CPI(M). There will be two MLAs from BJP-NDA," he said.
V Muraleedharan, who contested from the Kazhakoottam assembly seat, confirmed his win and thanked party workers and supporters for their "hard work and sacrifices".
According to the Election Commission (EC) website, BJP candidate from Chathannoor in Kollam district, B B Gopakumar has won by 4,398 votes after completion of all 16 rounds of counting of votes polled in the constituency.
In Nemom here, Chandrasekhar was ahead by over 3,500 votes after completion of 16 out of the 18 rounds of counting of votes polled in the constituency, according to EC data.
In Kazhakoottam, Muraleedharan was ahead by 265 votes after completion of 17 of the 18 rounds of counting.
Chandrasekhar, speaking to reporters at the party headquarters here, also said that as contended by him from the beginning "this was an anti-CPI(M) election" as the people were "fed up with their corruption and alleged misappropriation of gold from Sabarimala".
He also termed the Assembly elections and by-polls held in the country, including Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, recently as being against the "INDI Alliance".
Chandrasekhar said that right from the start of the election campaign, both the Congress and CPI(M) said that BJP will not get even one seat.
He also said that he knew right from the beginning that the CPI(M) will not win this time, no matter what it does.
As counting of votes reached its fag end, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) was ahead in over 100 seats, while the CPI(M)-headed Left Democratic Front was leading in less than 40 seats.
Kottayam (Kerala) | Union Minister George Kurian on Monday finished third in Kanjirappally constituency here in the recently concluded Kerala Assembly elections.
Kurian, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Minority Affairs, was fielded by the BJP considering the sizeable Christian population in the constituency.
When votes up to the 15th of the 16 counting rounds were tallied, Kurian was in third place, trailing Congress candidate Rony K Baby by 29,585 votes.
Baby secured 56,646 votes, followed by sitting MLA N Jayaraj of Kerala Congress with 50,874 votes. Kurian received 26,984 votes, according to the Election Commission.
Despite the union minister's defeat, the BJP had reason to cheer as the saffron party won the Nemom and Chathannoor Assembly constituencies.
Kozhikode (Kerala) | Kerala PWD and Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas is one of the few LDF ministers who survived the Left rout in the April 9 state assembly polls by winning from the Beypore constituency.
Riyas secured 81,849 votes and won with a margin of 7,487 against UDF-backed independent candidate P V Anvar, according to the Election Commission (EC) figures.
The margin was, however, much lesser than what he had achieved in 2021 and indicated the loss of vote share of the Left party.
In 2021, Riyas had got 82,165 votes and won with a margin of 28,747.
Back then he had got a vote share of 49.73 per cent as against the 44.21 per cent this time, as per EC figures.
According to various reports, ministers- Veena George, M B Rajesh, O R Kelu, R Bindhu, J Chinchurani, P Rajeev, K B Ganesh Kumar, V N Vasavan, V Sivankutty, V Abdurahiman, A K Saseendran and Roshy Augustine were either trailing or have lost from their respective constituencies.
The Congress-led UDF is leading in over 100 seats in the state, while CPI(M)-headed LDF is ahead in less than 40 constituencies.
The LDF had won 99 seats in 2021 and the UDF had got 41.
Thiruvananthapuram | CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan on Monday said the LDF would examine the reasons behind its defeat in the Kerala Assembly elections and take corrective measures.
Speaking to reporters here after the election verdict, Govindan said every aspect that led to the defeat would be analysed.
He thanked LDF workers and the people who voted for the front.
"The LDF will evaluate and study the defeat, after which required corrections will be made. We expect the support of the people for it," he said.
On defeats in traditional party strongholds, Govindan said the LDF had suffered a major setback across Kerala.
"We will carry out effective organisational work to correct the issues that led to the defeat," he said.
Regarding CPI(M) rebel leaders and their impact on the results, he said there would be a detailed examination of the reasons and corrective steps would be taken.
"The party has generally received votes, but it requires detailed analysis. We cannot say at this stage whether there was any consolidation," he said.
Thiruvananthapuram | BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Monday said the party-led NDA has two MLAs in the state, from Nemom and Chathannoor constituencies, and termed it as a reply to the Congress and CPI(M)'s assertions that it will not get even one seat.
"Today, people of Nemom and Chathanoor have a given a clear reply to the Congress and CPI(M). There will be two MLAs from BJP-NDA," he said.
According to the Election Commission (EC) website, BJP candidate from Chathannoor in Kollam district, B B Gopakumar was ahead by over 4,400 votes after completion of 14 out of the 16 rounds of counting of votes polled in the constituency.
In Nemom here, Chandrasekhar was ahead by over 4,100 votes after completion of 14 out of the 18 rounds of counting of votes polled in the constituency, according to EC data.
Chandrasekhar, speaking to reporters at the party headquarters here, also said that as contended by him from the beginning "this was an anti-CPI(M) election" as the people were "fed up with their corruption and alleged misappropriation of gold from Sabarimala".
He also termed the Assembly elections and by-polls held in the country, including Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, recently as being against the "INDI Alliance".
Chandrasekhar said that right from the start of the election campaign both the Congress and CPI(M) said that BJP will not get even one seat.
He also said that he knew right from the beginning that the CPI(M) will not win this time, no matter what it does.
As counting of votes reached its fag end, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) was ahead in over 100 seats, while the CPI(M)-headed Left Democratic Front was leading in less than 40 seats.
Kottayam | LDF leader and Kerala Congress (M) chairman Jose K Mani suffered defeat in the party's stronghold of Pala here in the Kerala Assembly elections on Monday.
UDF-backed Independent candidate Mani C Kappen retained the seat by defeating Mani by a margin of 2,991 votes.
Pala witnessed a triangular contest, with the BJP fielding its state vice-president Shone George.
Kappen secured 50,799 votes, while Mani polled 47,808 votes and George got 35,304 votes.
George has made major gains in the vote, affecting the prospects of both Kappen and Mani.
"We accept the mandate of the people and congratulate Kappen on his victory. There is a UDF wave in Kerala," Mani said.
The Rajya Sabha MP said people wanted the UDF to return to power after 10 years of LDF rule, and that sentiment was reflected in the election results.
"At present, we cannot say what exactly went wrong. However, there will be detailed discussions within the party as well as the LDF on the defeat," he said.
Kerala Congress (M), which contested in 12 seats, suffered defeat in all of them.
"Victory and defeat are part of democracy. Several political entities have made comebacks after defeats," he said.
He said there might have been anti-incumbency in the state.
On his defeat in Pala, Mani said Kerala Congress (M) had put up a tough fight and that there would be introspection on what went wrong in the constituency.
Kannur (Kerala) | In a major political upset, CPI(M) expelled leader P V Kunhikrishnan on Monday breached the Left fortress of Payyannur constituency and won the seat by over 7,000 votes in the 2026 Kerala Assembly election.
Contesting as a UDF-backed Independent, Kunhikrishnan defeated CPI(M) sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan by a margin of 7,487 votes.
Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after alleging corruption by Madhusoodanan in Payyannur.
The Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), a UDF constituent, was allotted the seat. But it did not field a candidate and instead extended support to Kunhikrishnan.
"I contested to be part of a fight. I received strong support from the people during the campaign. After polling, we were hopeful of victory," Kunhikrishnan said after the result.
He said the verdict reflected the people's desire for the "correct CPI(M)".
Thanking the UDF leadership for backing him, Kunhikrishnan said the united efforts of the opposition alliance had made the victory possible.
"I came out of the CPI(M) after a fight. I want them to take corrective measures. I hope the leadership will learn from this verdict and make corrections," he said.
Kollam (Kerala) | Transport Minister and actor K B Ganesh Kumar, who remained undefeated for over two-and-a-half decades in electoral politics, is on the verge of defeat in the Pathanapuram constituency as counting of votes in the Kerala Assembly elections enters the final stages, according to EC figures.
The Kerala Congress (B) chief is trailing Congress candidate Jyothikumar Chamakkala by over 5,000 votes. In the 2021 Assembly elections, Kumar had defeated Chamakkala by nearly 15,000 votes.
However, Chamakkala continued his constituency work in Pathanapuram over the past five years, helping him make significant gains in the 2026 election Kerala Congress (B), traditionally part of the UDF, joined the LDF ahead of the 2021 election after the death of party founder R. Balakrishna Pillai, with the shift being led by his son, Ganesh Kumar.
During the election campaign, controversy erupted after Congress leaders targeted Kumar over allegations regarding his alleged role in defaming former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in a sexual assault case that was later closed by the CBI.
Kumar had expressed confidence during the campaign that he would retain the seat with a record margin.
The election is being closely watched as a high-stakes contest between the ruling LDF, which is seeking a rare third consecutive term, and the UDF, which is aiming to return to power after nearly a decade.
The NDA, though not seen as a contender for power, is hoping to improve its presence and vote share in the state.
Thiruvananthapuram | The Congress-led UDF on Monday maintained its massive lead in the Kerala Assembly polls as counting of votes entered the fag end in many constituencies, with trends showing that the opposition alliance set to reach its 100 seats target.
After several rounds of counting in the six hours since tallying began at 8 am, the United Democratic Front was leading in 101 of the 140 Assembly seats, while the CPI(M)-led ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) was ahead in just under 40 constituencies.
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was leading in only in two seats, according to television reports.
If the Left loses Kerala, the party would be left with no Indian state where it would be in the ruling saddle.
The trends also indicated setbacks for the ruling front, with at least a dozen ministers trailing in their respective constituencies.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was behind in Dharmadam, his traditional stronghold in Kannur district, in the initial rounds.
However, in the subsequent rounds of counting he took back the lead and was ahead by over 8,000 votes after 12 of the 15 rounds were over.
Among other ministers facing early deficits were Veena George, M B Rajesh, O R Kelu, R Bindhu, J Chinchurani, P Rajeev, K B Ganesh Kumar, V N Vasavan, V Sivankutty, V Abdurahiman, Kadannappally Ramachandran A K Saseendran and Roshy Augustine.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan was also trailing in his sitting seat of Perambra in Kozhikode district, according to television reports.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala won by over 23,000 votes against his nearest rival from CPI in the Haripad Assembly seat, while K Karunakaran's daughter Padmaja Venugopal's hopes of winning from the Thrissur Assembly constituency were foiled for a third time.
UDF-back independent candidate from Payyannur assembly seat, a CPI(M) stronghold, V Kunhikrishnan also won.
Several rebel and dissident candidates with past links to the CPI(M), like Kunhikrishnan, also made notable gains.
Former senior CPI(M) leader G Sudhakaran, who did not renew his party membership, from Ambalapuzha assembly seat and T K Govindan, who exited the party after party state secretary M V Govindan's wife P K Shyamala was fielded from Thaliparamba, were in the lead after several rounds of counting.
Euphoric celebrations were witnessed at the Congress headquarters, Indira Bhavan, here as the trends pointed to the front's emphatic return to power in Kerala after a decade.
A sea of jubilant workers flooded the KPCC headquarters, raising slogans, beating drums, and distributing sweets as giant television screens showed the UDF steadily climbing past the halfway mark and then surging beyond the 100-seat mark in the 140-member Assembly.
Addressing mediapersons at the party headquarters here, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said the emerging verdict was a clear rejection of the CPI(M)-led LDF government's "anti-people policies".
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), which is putting up a strong performance in the Kerala Assembly elections, credited the UDF's teamwork for the alliance's resounding showing, as it was leading in 23 of the 27 seats it contested.
Anti-incumbency appears to have played a significant role against the CPI(M)-led government, which has been in power for two successive terms under Vijayan.
Voters in several constituencies seemed to express discontent with the incumbent administration, amid repeated allegations from the opposition regarding corruption and charges of nepotism in governance.
The UDF also appears to have benefited from a consolidation of minority votes in many regions, which traditionally act as a decisive bloc in Kerala's electoral politics.
Additionally, the Congress campaign, led nationally by top party leader Rahul Gandhi, focused heavily on welfare assurances, including targeted outreach to women voters through promises linked to financial support and social security, which may have resonated in the early trends.
If the current leads translate into results, it could mark the end of a decade-long rule by Vijayan and the LDF government in the state. Such an outcome would be politically significant, not only because the Left was attempting to secure a rare third consecutive term, but also because it would signal a shift in Kerala's electoral pattern, which has historically seen power alternate between the LDF and the UDF.
Congress veteran and Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan was trailing in North Paravoor constituency initially, but later regained the lead.
Reacting to the early trends, Sunny Joseph said the results pointed to a clear pro-UDF wave. "This is a strong indication. We are confident of reaching the 100-seat mark," he told a television channel.
Counting began at 8 am across 140 centres in the state, starting with postal ballots. Officials said a clearer picture is expected by the evening as more rounds are completed.
The election is being closely watched as a high-stakes contest between the ruling LDF, which is seeking a rare third consecutive term, and the UDF, which is aiming to return to power after nearly a decade.
The NDA, though not seen as a contender for power, is hoping to improve its presence and vote share in the state.
Thiruvananthapuram | Congress MLA Chandy Oommen on Monday retained his home turf Puthuppally by a massive margin of 52,907 votes.
He is the son of former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
The Assembly elections in Kerala were held on April 9.
Chandy got 84,031 votes against CPI (M)'s K M Radhakrishnan, who ended up with 31,124 votes, according to Election Commission data.
Chandy's election campaign garnered widespread attention as he followed a green protocol, avoiding flex boards and plastic banners and engaged in a bycycle-based door-to-door campaign.
Thrissur (Kerala) | K Karunakaran's daughter Padmaja Venugopal's hopes of winning from the Thrissur Assembly constituency were on Monday foiled for a third time, despite her family's long political history in the cultural capital of Kerala and the increase in BJP's vote share here over the years.
After 16 rounds of counting of votes polled in the April 9 Assembly elections, Venugopal got 28,662 votes and was in third position behind CPI's Alankode Leelakrishnan (33,487) and UDF's Rajan J Pallan who won with 60,290 votes, according Election Commission (EC) data.
Venugopal and the BJP were confident that she would win this time as she lost in 2021, as a Congress candidate, by only 900 votes. In 2016, she lost the same seat by around 7,000 votes. Both times, it was the CPI which had won.
This time she lost by a margin of 31,628 votes, as per EC figures.
During the Assembly poll campaign, Venugopal had said that she was sure of getting all the BJP votes in Thrissur, a confidence she did not have when she was in the Congress.
"I am confident of winning from Thrissur as I have faith in the people from here and also because BJP is always concerned about the party's win and not who is going to contest. So, it will work hard to ensure the victory of its candidates. That is a huge relief for me," Venugopal had said.
Alappuzha (Kerala) | Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala won by over 23,000 votes against his nearest rival from CPI in the Haripad Assembly seat after 15 rounds of votes polled from there were counted, as per EC figures.
The data on the Election Commission (EC) website, after all 15 rounds of EVM votes were counted, showed that Chennithala secured 68,184 votes, which was 47.08 per cent of the votes polled in the constituency.
The senior Congress leader won with a margin of 23,377 votes against his nearest rival -- CPI's T T Jismon.
Chennithala is reportedly in the fray for the post of Kerala CM.
In 2021, Chennithala got a total of 72,768 votes (48.31 per cent of votes polled) and won with a margin of 13,666 votes, according to EC data.
In 2016, he got a total of 75,666 (51.05 per cent) and won with a margin of 18,605 votes, as per EC figures.
Malappuram (Kerala) | IUML, which is putting up a strong performance in the Kerala Assembly elections, on Monday credited the UDF's teamwork for the alliance's resounding showing.
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is leading in 23 of the 27 seats it contested in the Assembly polls.
IUML state president Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the UDF was on course to win around 100 seats.
"This is the result of the UDF's teamwork reflected in the election. The rest of the matters will be decided after discussions within the UDF," he said.
He said the IUML had kept its word as UDF is winning in all the seats in Malappuram district.
The party has also improved its performance in other districts, he added.
Senior IUML leader P K Kunhalikutty, who contested from Malappuram constituency, also said the UDF would win around 100 seats.
"The Congress, which leads the UDF, will initiate the discussions. Later, there will be talks with all ally parties. That is the procedure followed, and further steps will be taken accordingly," Kunhalikutty said.
He said there would be no issues during the discussions, adding that expressing opinions was normal in democratic parties.
Kunhalikutty described the IUML's performance as historic, saying the party was continuing its electoral growth since its formation.
He also termed the victory of Congress leader V S Joy in Thavanur as a remarkable achievement and an example of secular values.
Thavanur is a Muslim-majority constituency where LDF candidate K T Jaleel had been winning since 2011
Thiruvananthapuram | The Congress in Kerala on Monday thanked the people of the state for what it termed a "thumping victory", as trends in the April 9 Assembly polls indicated a decisive edge for the UDF.
Addressing mediapersons at the party headquarters here, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said the emerging verdict was a clear rejection of the CPI(M)-led LDF government's "anti-people policies".
"The counting of votes is still progressing. The present trend indicates that the people of the state are giving the UDF a historic victory," he said.
Calling the outcome a "thumping victory", Joseph said the trend mirrored the mandate seen in the recent local body polls.
"It is a clear verdict against the LDF government's anti-people policies," he added.
AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, and senior leaders Ramesh Chennithala, Shashi Tharoor and Kodikkunnil Suresh were also present during the press meet.
The leaders also cut and shared a tri-colour cake marking the resounding performance of the party and the UDF.
According to available trends, the Congress-led UDF was ahead in at least 96 seats, while the LDF was leading in around 42 constituencies. The BJP-led NDA was ahead in two seats.
Thiruvananthapuram | Congress-led UDF workers broke into euphoric celebrations at Indira Bhavan on Monday as early trends in the April 9 Assembly polls pointed to the front's emphatic return to power in Kerala after a decade.
A sea of jubilant workers flooded the KPCC headquarters, raising slogans, beating drums, and distributing sweets as giant television screens showed the UDF steadily climbing past the halfway mark and then surging beyond the 100-seat mark in the 140-member Assembly.
Cheers turned into a frenzy the moment the tally crossed three digits, with workers leaping from their seats, embracing one another, and bursting crackers.
Party flags fluttered across the premises, while giant cutouts of leaders formed the backdrop to the celebrations, which showed no signs of slowing down.
Senior leaders received a rousing welcome as they arrived at the venue. Ramesh Chennithala was greeted with thunderous applause, while K C Venugopal was escorted into the office amid chants and drumbeats.
Many workers lifted their leaders onto their shoulders in a spontaneous display of affection and triumph.
The loudest cheers, however, were reserved for Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan, whose confident prediction that the UDF would cross 100 seats appeared to be coming true.
As enthusiastic workers attempted to carry him on their shoulders, Satheesan was seen gently dissuading them, even as he acknowledged the crowd with folded hands.
Senior leaders Shashi Tharoor and K Sudhakaran were among those who reached the party headquarters to celebrate the massive victory.
The celebrations unfolded even as early counting trends indicated setbacks for the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF, with several ministers, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, trailing in their respective constituencies.
According to television reports, at least 14 ministers were behind in the race, including Veena George, M B Rajesh, O R Kelu, R Bindhu, J Chinchurani, P Rajeev, K B Ganesh Kumar, V N Vasavan, V Sivankutty, V Abdurahiman, A K Saseendran, Kadannappally Ramachandran, and Roshy Augustine.
As per available trends, the UDF was leading in nearly 100 seats, while the LDF was ahead in a little over 39 constituencies, with the BJP-led NDA opening its account in one seat.
With trends strongly favouring the opposition front, Indira Bhavan turned into a carnival-like scene, capturing the mood of a political comeback that UDF workers had been waiting for over the past ten years.
Thiruvananthapuram | Several rebel and dissident candidates with past links to the CPI(M) and who aligned with the Congress-led UDF just ahead of the April 9 state polls, were making notable gains in early counting trends across Kerala on Monday.
Former senior CPI(M) leader G Sudhakaran, who did not renew his party membership alleging that he had been sidelined by the district leadership, was leading in Ambalapuzha after contesting against sitting MLA H Salam, Election Commission data showed.
According to initial counting trends, Sudhakaran was ahead by over 6,000 votes.
T K Govindan, who exited the party after CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan's wife P K Shyamala was fielded from Thaliparamba, was leading by over 7,000 votes in the Left stronghold.
Similarly, Kunhikrishnan, who was expelled from the party after raising allegations of corruption within the CPI(M), was leading against sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan, who had won the seat in 2021 by nearly 50,000 votes.
P K Sasi, who had alleged that he was sidelined by the CPI(M), contested as an Independent from Ottapalam.
However, CPI(M) candidate K Premkumar is leading by over 5,000 votes as of 11.30 am.
Former CPI(M) MLA Aisha Potty, who joined the Congress and is contesting against Finance Minister K N Balagopal at Kottarakara in Kollam district, is giving him a tough fight from the initial stages of counting and has taken a lead.
A Suresh, a former personal staff member of ex-Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, is contesting as the Congress candidate from Malampuzha, where CPI(M) nominee A Prabhakaran is currently leading.
Thiruvananthapuram | The Congress-led UDF surged ahead in Kerala on Monday as counting of votes for the April 9 Assembly elections gathered pace, with early trends showing a clear advantage for the opposition alliance in lines with exit poll predictions.
After the first few rounds of counting, the United Democratic Front was leading in 100 of the 140 Assembly seats, while the CPI(M)-led ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) was ahead in just in 40 constituencies.
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was leading in only one seat, according to television reports.
If the Left loses Kerala, the party would be left with no Indian state where it would be in the ruling saddle.
The trends also indicated setbacks for the ruling front, with at least a dozen ministers trailing in their respective constituencies. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was behind in Dharmadam, his traditional stronghold in Kannur district, in the initial rounds.
Among other ministers facing early deficits were Veena George, M B Rajesh, O R Kelu, R Bindhu, J Chinchurani, P Rajeev, K B Ganesh Kumar, V N Vasavan, V Sivankutty, V Abdurahiman, Kadannappally Ramachandran A K Saseendran and Roshy Augustine.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan was also trailing in his sitting seat of Perambra in Kozhikode district, according to television reports.
Anti-incumbency appears to have played a significant role against the CPI(M)-led government, which has been in power for two successive terms under Vijayan.
Voters in several constituencies seemed to express discontent with the incumbent administration, amid repeated allegations from the opposition regarding corruption and charges of nepotism in governance.
The UDF also appears to have benefited from a consolidation of minority votes in many regions, which traditionally act as a decisive bloc in Kerala's electoral politics.
Additionally, the Congress campaign, led nationally by top party leader Rahul Gandhi, focused heavily on welfare assurances, including targeted outreach to women voters through promises linked to financial support and social security, which may have resonated in the early trends.
If the current leads translate into results, it could mark the end of a decade-long rule by Vijayan and the LDF government in the state.
Such an outcome would be politically significant, not only because the Left was attempting to secure a rare third consecutive term, but also because it would signal a shift in Kerala's electoral pattern, which has historically seen power alternate between the LDF and the UDF.
In a significant development, Congress veteran and Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan was trailing in North Paravoor constituency, where CPI(M) candidate E T Tyson had taken an early lead. However, Satheesan recovered as counting progressed in areas favourable to the national party.
Reacting to the early trends, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Sunny Joseph said the results pointed to a clear pro-UDF wave. "This is a strong indication. We are confident of reaching the 100-seat mark," he told a television channel.
Counting began at 8 am across 140 centres in the state, starting with postal ballots. Officials said a clearer picture is expected by the afternoon as more rounds are completed.
The election is being closely watched as a high-stakes contest between the ruling LDF, which is seeking a rare third consecutive term, and the UDF, which is aiming to return to power after nearly a decade.
The NDA, though not seen as a contender for power, is hoping to improve its presence and vote share in the state.
Thiruvananthapuram | The initial two hours of counting of votes polled in the April 9 Kerala Assembly polls showed the Congress-led UDF taking a massive lead, as per news reports, indicating the front may claim power in the state.
According to news reports, the UDF was ahead in over 90 seats, while the CPI(M)-led LDF was leading in under 50 seats, and the BJP-headed NDA was leading in around 5 seats.
The Election Commission figures indicated that the Congress was ahead in 50 seats, CPI(M) in 31, IUML in 17, CPI in 13, with Kerala Congress (M) ahead in 4, and the BJP, Kerala Congress (KEC) and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) leading in 3 seats each.
The trends appear to support the UDF's claim that it would get a huge majority.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Sunny Joseph said it indicates a pro-UDF trend in the state and expressed confidence that the UDF will reach the 100-seat mark
Thiruvananthapuram | At least 12 ministers in the CPI(M)-led LDF cabinet were trailing on Monday with the counting of votes polled in the April 9 Assembly elections progressing across the state.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was also trailing in his sitting seat Dharmadam, considered his bastion and where his village Pinarayi falls.
According to various reports, ministers- Veena George, M B Rajesh, O R Kelu, R Bindhu, J Chinchurani, P Rajeev, K B Ganesh Kumar, V N Vasavan, V Sivankutty, V Abdurahiman, A K Saseendran and Roshy Augustine were trailing in their respective constituencies.
The Congress-UDF was ahead in over 90 seats, while the LDF was leading in a little over 40 seats. The BJP-headed NDA was leading in four Assembly constituencies according to reports.
Kochi | UDF face and Congress leader V D Satheesan is trailing in North Paravoor constituency, where CPI(M) candidate E T Tyson has taken an early lead, according to TV reports.
Following the initial rounds of EVM counting, Tyson was leading by over 240 votes.
However, Satheesan is expected to gain ground when votes from local bodies with a stronger Congress presence are counted.
Satheesan, the Leader of Opposition, led the UDF in the Assembly election.
He is among the key contenders for the post of chief minister if the UDF comes to power.
As per the latest trend, Congress is leading in a majority of seats in 140 Assembly constituencies in Kerala.
Thiruvananthapuram | As the Congress-led UDF leads in Kerala after the first one hour of counting of votes polled in the April 9 state assembly elections, the party's state unit chief Sunny Joseph said it indicates a trend in its favour.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Joseph also expressed confidence that the UDF will reach the 100 seat mark.
"It indicates a pro-UDF trend in the state. We will reach the 100 seats mark," he told a TV channel.
As per news reports, after the first hour of counting of votes, UDF was leading in over 90 seats, while the LDF was ahead in just over 40 seats and the NDA was in the front in 5 out of the total 140 seats.
Reports also showed that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and majority of the state ministers were behind in the initial rounds of counting.
Thiruvananthapuram | The BJP-led NDA is leading in five constituencies in Kerala with the counting of votes in the April 9 Assembly polls reaching the initial one and hours.
The saffron party-led front continues to maintain the lead in Nemom, Kazhakkoottam, Manjeswar, Palakkad and Chathannur in the initial hour, according to various television reports.
The BJP-NDA, which is making its way to open an account in the state Assembly, is pinning its hope on a handful of constituencies this time.
The Congress-UDF was ahead in over 90 seats, while the CPI(M)-led LDF was leading in over 40 seats, with the counting progressing, according to news reports. PTI LGK ADB 05040949
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Kannur (Kerala) | Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is trailing in Dharmadom constituency, where Congress candidate V P Abdul Rasheed has taken the lead, according to TV reports.
Vijayan, the face of the LDF in the Assembly election, is seeking a mandate from Dharmadom for the third time.
According to TV reports, Vijayan trailed by over 700 votes in the initial rounds of counting of EVMs.
The development would be considered significant as Dharmadom is regarded as an LDF stronghold.
However, the CPI(M) expects Vijayan to gain ground as counting progresses further.
In the 2021 Assembly polls, Vijayan had won from Dharmadom with a margin of over 45,000 votes.
As per initial trends, the UDF appears to have the upper hand across Kerala, with several key LDF sitting MLAs and ministers trailing in different constituencies.
Thiruvananthapuram | At least seven Kerala ministers are trailing with the counting of votes polled in the April 9 Assembly elections progressing in the state.
According to various television reports, the ministers Veena George, M B Rajesh, O R Kelu, R Bindhu, J Chinchurani, P Rajeev, K B Ganesh Kumar, and Roshy Augustine were trailing in their respective constituencies in the first hour of counting.
The counting of votes in EVMs has started, they said.
The Congress-UDF was ahead in close to 80 seats, while the CPI(M)-led LDF was leading in a little over 50 seats, with the BJP-headed NDA in the front in around 5 Assembly constituencies as EVM votes began to be counted, according to news reports.
Thiruvananthapuram | As counting of EVM votes polled in the April 9 Kerala Assembly elections commenced, trends after 9 am show the Congress-led UDF leading in the state.
The UDF was ahead in close to 90 seats, while the CPI(M)-led LDF was leading in over 40 seats with the BJP-headed NDA in the front in around 5 assembly constituencies as EVM votes began to be counted, according to news reports.
As per Election Commission figures, Congress is ahead in 10 seats, CPI(M) in 5, CPI in 2, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) 2 and IUML, RJD and Kerala Congress (KEC) with one each, among others.
The trends appear to support the UDF claim that it would get a huge majority. PTI If the situation continues, the UDF stand to claim power in the state.
Kerala Assembly polls: Initial counting trends show Cong-led UDF leading Thiruvananthapuram, May 4 (PTI) Initial trends following the commencement of counting of votes polled in the April 9 Kerala Assembly elections showed the Congress-led UDF leading in the state.
According to news reports, UDF was leading in over 60 seats, while the CPI(M)-led LDF was ahead in over 50 seats in the state.
The initial trends are based on the counting of postal ballots , which account for 1.36 per cent of the total votes polled.
Thiruvananthapuram | Counting of votes polled in the April 9 Assembly elections in Kerala commenced at 8 am on Monday at 140 centres spread across 43 locations in the state.
It brings to an end the intense and high-stakes contest among the ruling LDF, the opposition UDF, and the BJP-led NDA.
The strongrooms, where the electronic voting machines were stored, were opened at around 6.30am in the presence of Election Commission observers, security personnel, and representatives of candidates.
The counting commenced with the tallying of the postal ballots which account for 1.36 per cent of the total votes polled.
A broad picture of the election outcome is expected by the afternoon.
The results are crucial for all three fronts as they seek to strengthen their position in the state's evolving political landscape.
Kerala has a total of 2,71,42,952 voters, of whom 79.63 per cent cast their votes across 140 Assembly constituencies on April 9.
By including the postal ballots received till May 1, the turnout has tentatively risen to 79.70 per cent, Kerala CEO Rathan U Kelkar said on Sunday.
The chief electoral officer (CEO) had said that 53,984 postal ballots had been issued to service voters, of which 20,028 had been received as of May 1.
A total of 883 candidates contested the election for 140 seats in the state.
Officials said that 15,464 personnel have been deployed for the exercise, comprising 140 returning officers, 1,340 additional returning officers, 4,208 micro observers, 4,208 counting supervisors, and 5,563 counting assistants.
Security arrangements have been put in place, with 25 companies of central forces deployed alongside state police personnel to guard the counting centres.
Police have also enhanced surveillance across the state to prevent any post-election violence, officials said.
Most exit polls have predicted a close contest but giving an edge to the Congress-led UDF, which has remained out of power since 2016.
The UDF aims for a significant improvement from the 41 seats it won in the 2021 Assembly election, with some exit polls projecting 80-90 seats.
The ruling LDF, however, citing forecasts of a close contest, remains hopeful of retaining power for a third consecutive term.
A defeat for the LDF would also mark the first time since the 1960s that Left parties are not in power in any Indian state.
The BJP-led NDA, although not in contention to form the government, views the election as crucial to expanding its footprint in Kerala after failing to win any seats in 2021.
The alliance is also closely watching its vote share, targeting more than 20 per cent this time.