‘Heartening Mandate’: Rahul Gandhi On UDF's Decisive Win In Kerala Civic Polls

Last Updated:December 13, 2025, 17:31 IST

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has scripted a decisive win in the Kerala local body polls.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. (Image: PTI/File)

Kerala Civic Poll Results: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday praised the performance of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in the Kerala civic body elections, calling the outcome a “decisive and heartening mandate" from the people of the state.

In a post on X, the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition said that the results reflected growing public confidence in the UDF and indicated a strong political direction ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

“A salute to the people of Kerala for placing their trust in the UDF in the local body elections. This is a decisive and heartening mandate. These results are a clear sign of growing confidence in the UDF and point the way towards a sweep in the upcoming Assembly election," he said in a post on X.

He said that the verdict sends a clear message in favour of accountable and responsive governance. He said the people of Kerala were seeking an administration that listens, responds, and delivers on everyday concerns.

The Congress leader asserted that the UDF’s focus would remain firmly on standing with the common people, addressing their daily issues, and ensuring transparent, people-first governance. He also congratulated all newly elected representatives and thanked party leaders and workers for their efforts in securing the mandate.

“Our focus now is unwavering – standing with the common people of Kerala, addressing their everyday concerns, and ensuring transparent, people-first administration. Congratulations to all elected representatives. My sincere appreciation to every party leader and worker whose dedication and hard work made this victory possible," he added.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also hailed the UDF’s perfomace and said, “The Indian Congress extends its heartfelt gratitude to the people of Kerala for the decisive verdict given to the UDF in local body elections. We are confident that our alliance — UDF, will receive a similar mandate in the Assembly Elections slated in the next few months too."

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph said that the front’s results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government. “We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.

Congress leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.

“This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.

Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.

Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.

“I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.

Meanwhile, LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined. “Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.

Kerala Civic Body Results

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has scripted a decisive win in the Kerala local body polls, even as the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) suffered a setback. The BJP-led Democratic Alliance (NDA) made a historic win in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, where it secured its first-ever win.

The UDF has won in four out of six corporations: Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur, and Kannur, whereas the NDA has wrested Thiruvananthapuram from the LDF.

Kozhikode Corporation remains the only major consolation for the LDF as it heads towards a victory with a lead in 35 of the 76 divisions. UDF has made a major come back in the civic body increasing its vote tally from 17 to 28. However, BJP has made the biggest progress in the Corporation having ensured a lead in 13 seats, as against 7 in 2015 and 2020.

The latest State Election Commission trends show the Congress-led UDF leading in 7,669 gram panchayat wards, 1,137 block panchayat wards, 90 district panchayat wards, 1,458 municipal wards and 187 corporation wards, followed by the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) leading in  6,308 gram panchayat wards, 878 block panchayat wards, 43 district panchayat wards, 1,100 municipal wards and 125 corporation wards.

The BJP-led NDA is leading in 1,392 gram panchayat wards, 53 block panchayat wards, one district panchayat ward, 324 municipal wards and 93 corporation wards, while other parties and independents accounted for 1,260 gram panchayat wards, 48 block panchayat wards, one district panchayat ward, 323 municipal wards and 15 corporation wards.

The counting of votes for Kerala’s local body elections began at 8 am on Saturday for the 1,199 local bodies where polling was held in two phases.

(With inputs from agencies)

News politics ‘Heartening Mandate’: Rahul Gandhi On UDF's Decisive Win In Kerala Civic Polls

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