Kerala: Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in the Kerala local body elections, KPCC president Sunny Joseph on Saturday said the results clearly indicated that the people had rejected the LDF government.

Citing early trends, Joseph said the UDF was leading in a larger number of grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations compared to the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF). The local body polls were held in two phases across the state earlier this week.

Speaking to reporters, the KPCC chief said the electorate had decisively backed the UDF. “We could expose the LDF government's anti-people stance, and the people understood it. The LDF's fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory,” he said.

Joseph attributed the UDF’s performance to unity within the front, careful preparation, effective candidate selection and sustained grassroots work. When asked about the outcome in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, he said the party was analysing the situation and would respond later.

Reacting to the trends, LDF convener TP Ramakrishnan said the results would be examined in detail. “ The government had done everything possible for the people. Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People's opinion will be considered, and further steps will be taken. If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward,” he said, adding that corrective measures would be initiated if required.

Senior AICC leader KC Venugopal said the results signalled that voters had begun pushing out those he alleged were responsible for the loss of gold from Lord Ayyappa’s temple at Sabarimala. “This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government,” he said.

Venugopal claimed the UDF had secured victories even in CPM and LDF strongholds, and congratulated UDF workers for their united effort. Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.

“I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further,” he said, describing the results as a strong UDF comeback in Kerala.

On whether the Sabarimala gold issue influenced the local body polls, Venugopal said the Chief Minister and CPI(M) leadership had failed to take the matter seriously. He also alleged that the BJP functioned with the tacit support of the CPM during the elections.

Meanwhile, Kerala Congress(M) leader Jose K Mani, an LDF ally, admitted that the party fell short of expectations in several wards. He congratulated winners across parties and said the losses would be reviewed to identify shortcomings and take corrective action.

Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the local body election trends pointed towards a UDF return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections. “We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections. The trend indicates the end of the LDF government,” he said.

CPI(M) MLA MM Mani, however, expressed disappointment over the verdict, alleging voter ingratitude despite welfare measures. “After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude. People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude,” he said.

Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results exceeded expectations. “The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election,” he said.

PTI inputs