Thiruvananthapuram: The victory in the Puthuppally byelection has injected fresh energy into the Congress's ambitions of expanding the UDF. Following the announcement of the results, KPCC president K Sudhakaran wasted no time in extending invitations to various parties, including the Kerala Congress (M), to join the front. Opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly, VD Satheesan, also affirmed that the front's political base would be broadened.

The Kerala Congress (Mani) had previously rejected the invitation and had said that they were expelled from the UDF and had found contentment within the LDF. However, if the UDF manages to win Lok Sabha constituencies such as Kottayam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, and Mavelikkara, party followers may demand change. Despite being in the LDF for the past three years, KC(M) workers are yet to sync with the CPM workers on the ground. Local power equations were disrupted when the two rivals joined hands in 2020. There are also fears that continuing in LDF may affect the growth of the party.

It is unlikely that the Kerala Congress (Joseph) will oppose the KC(M)'s return to the UDF. When asked about this possibility after the state conference, PJ Joseph merely stated that the expansion of the front had not been discussed, signalling no objections from his faction.

With the help of KC(M), the LDF secured significant wins in Kottayam district panchayat and Pala municipal corporation in 2020 local self-government elections. The LDF victories in certain constituencies in Kottayam, Idukki, and Pathanamthitta districts were attributed to KC(M. While the Joseph faction only secured two seats in these districts, the Mani faction secured five seats.