Congress-led UDF surges ahead in Kerala assembly polls, leading in 81 seats

Key facts

• Voter turnout was 78.27% across 140 constituencies.
• Counting began at 8 am on April 9, 2026.
• UDF leads in 81 seats, LDF in 56, as per Election Commission trends.
• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan trails in early counting.
• BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar wins Nemom with 57,192 votes (40.75%).
• Seven incumbent ministers are trailing as counting progresses.
• Congress MP Jebi Mather declares a 'great victory' for UDF.

UDF crosses majority mark as counting progresses

The Congress-led United Democratic Front has surged ahead in Kerala’s 2026 assembly elections, crossing the majority mark of 70 seats with leads in 81 constituencies by late afternoon. The Left Democratic Front, headed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s CPI(M), is leading in 56 seats, while the BJP-led NDA has made marginal gains but remains a distant third. The counting of votes, which began at 8 am across the state, reflects a strong voter turnout of 78.27 per cent, underscoring active participation. Early trends had shown a neck-and-neck race, but the UDF steadily widened its lead as the day progressed. At the Congress party office in Thiruvananthapuram, workers celebrated with a cake-cutting ceremony, as party MP Jebi Mather said it was 'going to be a great victory for the Congress-led UDF.'

Pinarayi Vijayan trails as seven ministers face defeat

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who was seeking a rare third consecutive term, is trailing in his Dharmadam constituency, according to early counting trends. Although he had won the seat decisively in 2026 with 85,614 votes and a margin of 19,247, the current trends suggest a reversal. At least seven incumbent ministers are trailing as counting progresses, signaling a potential rout for the LDF. Finance Minister K N Balagopal secured a narrow victory in Kottarakkara, defeating former CPI(M) leader Aisha Potty, who had joined the Congress in January. The LDF’s poor performance comes despite exit polls having indicated a tight race, with several projections giving a slight edge to the UDF. Kerala has a history of defying exit poll predictions, but this time the trends have aligned with the Congress-led alliance.

BJP wins Nemom and Chathannoor, registers marginal gains

The BJP-led NDA, though not achieving a major breakthrough, has registered marginal gains. Rajeev Chandrasekhar won the Nemom seat with 57,192 votes (40.75 per cent), defeating CPI(M)’s V. Sivankutty, who secured 52,214 votes (37.20 per cent). Congress candidate Adv. K. S. Sabarinadhan finished third with 29,730 votes. In Chathannoor, B.B. Gopakumar of the BJP emerged victorious with 51,923 votes, defeating CPI’s Adv. R. Rajendran, who finished second with 47,525 votes. Congress candidate Sooraj Ravi came third with 35,276 votes. The NDA’s performance, while limited, marks a consolidation of its vote share in select constituencies, though a statewide breakthrough remains elusive.

Independent and regional candidates shine in key seats

Independent and regional candidates performed strongly in several constituencies. In Payyannur, V. Kunhikrishnan won with 76,640 votes, a margin of 7,487. Mani C. Kappen won Pala with 50,799 votes, leading by 2,991. In Ambalappuzha, G. SudhaKaran registered a decisive win with 75,184 votes, securing the largest margin of 27,935. The Kerala Congress and its factions also won several seats, including Changanassery, Irinjalakkuda, Kaduthuruthy, Kothamangalam, and Thodupuzha. The CMP won Thiruvananthapuram. These results underscore the fragmented nature of Kerala’s political landscape, where local alliances and candidate appeal often trump national party labels.

High turnout and triangular contest shape outcome

The 78.27 per cent voter turnout across 140 constituencies reflects strong engagement, with the election evolving into a triangular fight as the NDA emerged as a third force. The final outcome hinged on narrow margins and constituency-level shifts, with many seats decided by a few thousand votes. Exit polls had predicted a tight race, but the UDF’s early lead has confounded expectations of a close finish. The Congress-led alliance, which was out of power for a decade, appears poised to return to government. The counting process, conducted under tight security, is expected to be completed by late evening, with the final tally likely to confirm the UDF’s victory.

What comes next for Kerala’s political landscape

With the UDF on the verge of forming the next government, attention now turns to the selection of a chief ministerial candidate. The Congress party has not yet named its nominee, but senior leaders are expected to hold consultations in the coming days. The LDF, meanwhile, faces a period of introspection after a decade in power. The defeat of seven ministers and the Chief Minister’s own trailing mark a significant setback for the CPI(M)-led alliance. The NDA, while celebrating its gains in Nemom and Chathannoor, will need to build on these pockets of strength to become a more formidable force in future elections.

The bottom line

• The Congress-led UDF has crossed the majority mark, leading in 81 seats as of late afternoon.
• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is trailing in his Dharmadam constituency, and seven ministers face defeat.
• BJP’s Rajeev Chandrasekhar won Nemom with 40.75% of the vote, while B.B. Gopakumar won Chathannoor.
• Voter turnout was 78.27%, reflecting high participation across 140 constituencies.
• Independent and regional candidates won in Payyannur, Pala, and Ambalappuzha with significant margins.
• Exit polls had indicated a tight race, but early trends favor the UDF, defying predictions.