Kerala local body elections: Tripunithura Municipality falls to NDA; BJP scripts history

Ernakulam, Kerala: In a surprise outcome as vote counting neared completion on Friday in the Kerala Local Body Elections 2025, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) captured control of the Tripunithura Municipality. The result marks the first time the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won the Tripunithura Municipal Council election.

The NDA won the municipality with a narrow majority of just one seat. In the election, the NDA secured 21 seats, while the Left Democratic Front (LDF) won 20 seats. The United Democratic Front (UDF) was reduced to 16 seats. 

Tripunithura Municipality had traditionally alternated between LDF and UDF rule for decades. This time, the contest turned into a close fight between the NDA and the LDF, with the NDA wresting control from the LDF through what is being described as a dramatic turnaround. Until now, the municipality had been governed by the LDF.

Classified as an A-grade municipality, Tripunithura witnessed an intensive campaign by the BJP, which appears to have paid off.

Meanwhile, the BJP has retained power in the Palakkad Municipality as well. There, the NDA is leading with 25 seats, while the UDF has secured 18 seats and the LDF 9 seats. With 25 seats, the BJP has emerged as the single largest party in Palakkad.