Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan
Thiruvananthapuram: The 2026 Keralam Assembly election results are unfolding dramatically, with early counting trends indicating a decisive lead for the United Democratic Front (UDF) and a sharp setback for the Left Democratic Front (LDF). In a major political development, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, along with 14 ministers from the 19-member cabinet, is trailing, signalling a potential shift in the state’s political landscape. Across constituencies, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is registering a noticeable surge, leading in 6 seats, emerging as a growing force beyond its traditional pockets.
Counting of votes began today across all 140 constituencies, marking the crucial phase of an intensely contested election. The process commenced with postal ballot counting, which set the tone for early leads before the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) rounds gathered pace. Initial trends indicate that the UDF has surged ahead in a majority of seats, while the LDF appears to be facing a significant decline, including in several of its long-held strongholds.
The NDA, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is showing strong momentum across multiple regions of the state. Constituencies such as Manjeswaram, Palakkad, and Kazhakkoottam, Thiruvalla, Nemom, and Kozhikode South have emerged as key battlegrounds where the NDA is making notable gains. In Kazhakkoottam, the alliance is aiming to convert its steadily growing grassroots support into a decisive electoral breakthrough.
The BJP’s rise is being attributed to its sustained organisational expansion, deeper engagement with local communities, and emphasis on development and governance issues. This strategy has helped the party widen its appeal and turn several contests into closely fought battles, challenging the traditional dominance of the UDF and LDF.
Political observers believe that the NDA’s performance in this election could mark a turning point in Keralam’s electoral politics. Its consistent growth over successive elections suggests a gradual but clear shift, with the alliance positioning itself as a credible third force in the state. With votes cast by over 2.71 crore electors being counted across thousands of polling stations, the trends are expected to evolve further as more rounds are completed. However, the early picture is already significant: the UDF firmly in the lead, the LDF under pressure, and the NDA advancing steadily across the state, indicating a potentially transformative electoral outcome.
