Synopsis: Kerala’s first phase of local body polling placed its major corporations at the centre of the political contest, with Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Kochi emerging as key indicators of urban voter sentiment. While the capital witnessed a fierce three-way fight with no front confident of the outcome, Kollam is widely expected to continue its status as a Left bastion. Kochi, meanwhile, has seen a sharp contest between the ruling LDF and the opposition UDF.

The first phase of polling for Kerala’s local bodies on Tuesday, 9 December, put the focus squarely on the State’s major urban centres, where councils have become key battlegrounds of political power.

Unlike rural local bodies, corporations now see fierce, high-stakes contests as parties view urban governance as a direct way

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