Kozhikode Corporation results 2025 | LDF secures key victory; setback for UDF
Kozhikode: The Left Democratic Front (LDF) emerged as the single largest bloc in the keenly watched local body elections in Kozhikode, winning 34 of the 76 wards, though falling short of an outright majority.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) followed with 26 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recorded a strong showing by securing 13 wards. Kozhikode, which has 76 wards, is one of Kerala’s six municipal corporations, along with Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur and Kannur.
Several prominent candidates from the LDF and UDF suffered defeats. P M Niyas, KPCC general secretary and the UDF’s mayoral candidate, lost the Paroppadi ward to BJP candidate Harish Pottangadi. In Pottammal ward, BJP’s T Raneesh won the seat, defeating the candidate backed by sitting mayor Beena Philip, marking a significant setback for the incumbent camp.
In Chalappuram ward, a long-time UDF stronghold, BJP candidate Anil Kumar K P defeated UDF’s V Sajeev. Another major loss for the LDF came from Meenchanda ward, where Deputy Mayor and senior LDF leader C P Musafar Ahmed was defeated by UDF candidate S K Aboobacker.
What were the trends in the district and block panchayats?
In the 28-member district panchayat, the UDF was leading or had won 14 divisions, while the LDF was ahead in 13. In the 12-member block panchayat, the LDF was leading or had secured victory in eight divisions, with the UDF ahead in two seats.
Who was ahead in municipalities and grama panchayats?
The UDF retained its dominance in four of the seven municipalities, emerging victorious in Feroke, Koduvally, Payyoli and Ramanattukara.
The LDF was heading towards victory in Koyilandy, Vadakara and Mukkom municipalities. Among the 70 grama panchayats, the UDF was leading or had won in 39, while the LDF was ahead in 27.
Where counting took place
There are 12 block-level centres for counting votes from grama panchayats, while each of the seven municipalities has a dedicated centre. The Government Vocational Higher Secondary School for Girls, Nadakkavu, will serve as the counting centre for the Kozhikode Corporation.
Officials said postal ballots for the district panchayat will be counted in the presence of the District Collector at the planning hall in Kozhikode civil station.
A look back at the 2020 results
In 2020, Kozhikode had 75 wards. The results were:
- LDF: 49 (CPM: 45, CPI: 1, LJD: 1, NCP: 1, Congress-S: 1)
- UDF: 14 (Congress: 9, IUML: 5)
- NDA: BJP 7
- Independents and Others: 5
The CPM-led LDF secured a clear majority and strengthened its hold over urban wards. The UDF maintained influence in certain traditional bases, while the BJP made limited gains in areas such as Chevarambalam, Puthiyara, Meenchantha and East Hill. Independents also won in some pockets, reflecting local dynamics where individual candidates sometimes held more sway than party affiliations.