In an indicator of shifting sands in Kerala’s political landscape, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), the state’s primary Opposition, secured victory in the crucial local body elections ahead of the state Assembly elections due in April next year. Many rural and urban bodies in the incumbent CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF)’s citadels, which had weathered repeated electoral challenges, have been captured by the UDF this time.

The LDF, which has been in power in the state since 2016 and ruled a majority of local bodies for a decade, faced a setback just as it launched its campaign to seek a third consecutive term in the forthcoming Assembly polls.

The LDF got an edge in seven of 14 district panchayats. In the 2020 local body polls, however, the ruling alliance had won 1

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