Kerala local body elections: Historic win for UDF in Perinthalmanna after 30 years

Perinthalmanna (Malappuram): The United Democratic Front (UDF) has captured the Perinthalmanna municipality after three decades, marking a historic shift in local governance.

The UDF secured 21 of the 37 wards, while the Left Democratic Front (LDF) won 16 seats. Since its formation in 1995, the LDF had held control in all six previous municipal elections.

Within the UDF, candidates contesting under the Muslim League won 10 seats, while five League independents, five Congress candidates, and one Congress rebel also secured victories. For LDF, 14 CPM candidates and two Left independents were elected.

In the 2020 Perinthalmanna municipality elections, the LDF had won 20 of 34 wards, with the UDF securing 14. Despite Perinthalmanna historically being an LDF stronghold, UDF leaders had expressed optimism this year, citing concerns over limited development progress during a decade of Left governance.

Early trends indicate that the LDF has won five seats so far, but the UDF’s overall performance has effectively broken the LDF’s decades-long dominance in the Perinthalmanna local body elections 2025.