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The Bharatiya Janata Party seems happy with the results of the local body elections in Kerala. This victory is considered big and important for the party which is trying to establish its roots in South India. This is the first time in decades of politics that the NDA has gained a foothold in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, which is known as the stronghold of the Left, despite the performance of the NDA-led alliance. For the first time BJP has won. This place was occupied by the Left Democratic Front led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for the last 45 years, BJP has ended this occupation.

BJP’s victory in Thiruvananthapuram is being considered historic. Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation has 101 wards. Elections were held on 100 seats and BJP turned the tables. NDA alliance got 50 seats. Left Democratic Front has got 29 seats, while United Democratic Front has got 19 seats. Independent candidates have won on 2 seats.

Why is this victory big for BJP?

Assembly elections will be held in Kerala in the year 2026. Bharatiya Janata Party has also lost its only stronghold in the south, Karnataka, in the year 2023. BJP has been trying to establish its foothold in Kerala for the last decade. BJP has got success in the capital. BJP is focusing more on developmental agenda than Hindutva in Kerala. BJP is referring to central schemes. The model of roads and hospitals is being introduced in Kerala. Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar had given the slogan of ‘Develop Thiruvananthapuram’. It became a hit among the people locally. BJP had promised that now it will give corruption free administration at the civic level also. BJP also raised the issue of Sabarimala gold theft. When it worked on development and Hindutva politics in a steady manner, the results came in favor of BJP in Thiruvananthapuram.

Did BJP lose even after victory?

BJP has been able to win only in Thiruvananthapuram. BJP has not got much success in other places. BJP has won in Thripunithura and Palakkad municipality. This election is being considered as the semi-final for the 2026 assembly elections. Now the political equations seem to be changing there.

How does Shashi Tharoor see BJP’s victory?

Shashi Tharoor wrote on X, ‘I accept the historic performance of BJP in Thiruvananthapuram. Congratulating you on your victory. This is a great performance, showing the political transformation of the capital. I had campaigned for a change from 45 years of LDF misgovernance, but voters voted for another party. BJP had promised administrative changes. This is the beauty of democracy. The decision of the people should be respected, whether it is for the UDF overall or for the BJP in my constituency. We will continue to work for the betterment of Kerala, advocate for the needs of the people and maintain the principles of good governance.

Read also: Two things, which make the 2027 census most special; Will anything be different from 2011?

Why did BJP win in the Left bastion?

The anti-incumbency wave against the Left Front in Thiruvananthapuram is also considered to be an important reason. The image of Mayor Arya Rajendran has been controversial. He was accused of administrative failures. Union Minister Rajiv Chandrashekhar Thiruvananthapuram himself took charge. BJP benefited from better campaigning. He promised ‘Developed Ananthapuri’ vision and better utilization of central funds, which was approved by the public. In this triangular contest, the Congress-led UDF appeared weak, due to which the BJP benefited. BJP got benefit due to Waqf Act law. Voters from the Christian community also expressed confidence in BJP. BJP seems excited about 2026.

Congress has also shown strength

The Congress-led UDF made a spectacular comeback across the state. The UDF has won or is leading in four out of six corporations, 54 out of 86 municipalities, 79 out of 152 block panchayats and 504 out of 941 gram panchayats. The ruling LDF suffered setbacks in rural and urban areas. LDF, however, retained control of seven out of 14 district panchayats. This is a big blow for the LDF which has dominated the state for the last decade.