Kerala election wrap-up: How UDF ended LDF’s 10-year rule

The 2026 Kerala assembly election marked the return of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) to power after a decade, ending the Left Democratic Front’s two consecutive terms in office.

The UDF secured 102 of the state’s 140 assembly seats, delivering a decisive mandate that exceeded most pre-poll projections. Congress emerged as the single largest party in the alliance with 63 seats, while the CPI(M)-led LDF saw its tally shrink sharply, with the Marxist party itself reduced to 26 seats.

Following the verdict, senior Congress leader V D Satheesan was sworn in as chief minister at Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, heading a 20-member cabinet. The new council of ministers includes 14 first-time ministers, two women, and two representatives from the Scheduled Caste community.

The election also saw several high-profile defeats for the outgoing government. Thirteen ministers from the LDF cabinet lost their seats, including chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who resigned after the results were declared on May 4.

Polling for the assembly election was held on April 9, with voter turnout recorded at 78.27% across an electorate of more than 2.7 crore.

The UDF campaign focused on issues including unemployment, inflation and governance, while the LDF sought re-election on its record in welfare delivery, healthcare and education.

The result also carries wider political significance.

Kerala had remained the only state governed by a communist-led government after the Left lost power in West Bengal in 2011 and Tripura in 2018. With the LDF’s defeat, India no longer has a communist-led state government.
The CPI(M) acknowledged the setback after the results, saying the party would review the verdict and assess the reasons behind the loss.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and chief ministers from Congress-ruled states, underscoring the party’s attempt to project the Kerala win as a significant political gain.