In a result hinting at a political shift in Kerala, the BJP has become the single-largest party in the Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation. The capital, long seen as a stronghold of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, saw the BJP win 50 of the 100 wards contested, falling just one seat short of a simple majority in the 101-member council. The local body poll outcome marks a major breakthrough for the party in the state.
What Does This Result Mean for Thiruvananthapuram?
The BJP’s surge comes at the expense of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), which was reduced to 29 seats—a major setback. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) secured 19 wards, while two seats went to Independents. With the BJP poised at the 50-seat mark, it is now set to capture power in the prestigious civic body with the support of Independents. This would hand the party its most substantial urban governance footprint in Kerala.
How Have National and Local Leaders Reacted?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the outcome as a transformative event for Kerala’s politics. Calling it a “watershed moment,” he credited the grassroots work of party workers over generations for the “spectacular results.” From the Congress camp, Shashi Tharoor welcomed the democratic verdict. He congratulated the UDF for its overall performance but also acknowledged the BJP’s “historic performance” and “significant victory” in the capital, calling it a notable shift in the political landscape.
What a day of amazing results in the Kerala local self-government elections! The mandate is clear, and the democratic spirit of the state shines through.
A huge congratulations to @UDFKerala for a truly impressive win across various local bodies! This is a massive endorsement…
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 13, 2025
What Is the State-Wide Picture in These Local Elections?
While the BJP’s victory in the capital is the headline, the broader state trends tell a different story. Across Kerala’s numerous local bodies, the UDF was leading in over 7,800 wards, with the LDF ahead in about 6,500. The BJP-led NDA was leading in approximately 1,426 wards. This indicates that while the national party has made a decisive dent in the capital, the overall contest in the state remains primarily between the traditional UDF and LDF fronts.
Why Is This Result Significant for Kerala’s Politics?
The BJP’s ascent to the top spot in a major corporation breaks the longstanding bipolar political contest in Kerala between the LDF and UDF. It reflects the party’s steady rise in urban areas and strengthening organisational capacity. The capital loss is a serious issue for the LDF, but for the UDF, keeping its state-wide advantage offers optimism ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
Key Immediate FAQs:
Q: Has the BJP won the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation?
A: The BJP has won 50 wards, making it the single-largest party, just one seat short of a majority. It is set to form the council with support from Independents.
Q: How did Shashi Tharoor react to the result in his constituency?
A: Tharoor congratulated the UDF for its performance across the state and also acknowledged the BJP’s “historic” victory in the city corporation, describing it as a democratic choice for change.
Q: Who is leading overall in the Kerala local body elections?
A: State-wide, the UDF is leading in the highest number of wards, followed by the LDF. The BJP’s most prominent victory is specifically in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
Q: What was Prime Minister Modi’s reaction?
A: PM Modi termed the win a “watershed moment in Kerala’s politics” and thanked BJP workers for their efforts.
