THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As counting rounds conclude following a robust 77.45% voter turnout, live updates confirm a decisive victory for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in the 2026 Kerala Assembly Elections. The UDF has effectively routed the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), with internal CPM assessments already acknowledging a devastating loss of over 30 to 35 sitting seats.
UDF Dominance and Historic Margins
The UDF's surge has dismantled several Left bastions and overturned historical voting patterns. Notably, the UDF has successfully captured the Ollur constituency. Long considered Kerala's political "bellwether" where the winning party traditionally forms the government, Ollur has officially been stripped of that title as the Left faces a statewide washout.
In Puthuppally, Congress candidate Chandy Oommen registered a staggering lead of 47,209 votes. Onmanorama highlighted that Oommen secured this massive mandate through an unconventional and highly praised campaign—eschewing expensive flex boards, banners, and loud political finales. Instead, he relied on a bicycle campaign alongside Rahul Gandhi, pledging to redirect the saved campaign funds to build homes for the impoverished.
Incumbent Casualties and LDF Setbacks
The anti-incumbency wave has severely impacted the outgoing cabinet. In the Idukki constituency, Water Resources Minister and Kerala Congress (M) leader Roshy Augustine is trailing significantly behind UDF candidate Roy K. Paulose. The shifting sentiment on the ground was captured early in the counting process when mock banners reading "Tata... Bye... Bye... Roshy" were erected across the constituency by opposing cadres.
BJP Expands Footprint in the Capital
Beyond the UDF's massive resurgence, the BJP-led NDA has successfully expanded its presence in the Kerala Assembly. According to breaking updates from Onmanorama, senior BJP leader V. Muraleedharan has secured a historic victory in the highly watched Kazhakootam constituency. After a fierce, neck-and-neck battle, Muraleedharan defeated LDF heavyweight Kadakampally Surendran, ensuring the "Lotus blooms" in the capital district and dealing another heavy blow to the Left.
With the final EVMs being tallied across the counting centers, the mandate is clear: Kerala voters have aggressively rejected the incumbent Left government, opting for a sweeping UDF return to power while creating crucial new space for the NDA in the assembly.
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