Thiruvananthapuram: As vote counting in Kerala’s local body elections crossed the halfway mark, thePinarayi Vijayan-led CPI-M is facing an unprecedented setback, with the ruling party suffering heavy losses even in its traditional strongholds.

Overall, the gains have gone to the Congress-led UDF and the BJP-led NDA, especially in the state capital city, the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

Across corporations, the CPI-M is confronting significant reverses, with defeats looming large in Kozhikode, Kollam and Kozhikode corporations proving particularly shocking.

Traditionally, the CPI-M has managed to defend its bastions in local body elections even during difficult political phases, often retaining its dominance in panchayat governance. This time, however, that pattern appears to have ch

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