Congress-Led UDF Surges Ahead in Kerala Assembly Elections, Leading in 81 Seats

Key facts

• UDF leads in 81 seats, LDF in 56, as per Election Commission trends.
• Voter turnout was 78.27% across 140 constituencies.
• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan trails in early counting.
• BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar wins Nemom seat with 57,192 votes.
• Seven incumbent ministers are trailing as counting progresses.
• Congress-led UDF eyes return to power after 10 years.
• Counting began at 8 am on April 9, 2026.
• Exit polls had given a slight edge to UDF but Kerala has a history of defying predictions.

UDF Crosses Majority Mark as Counting Progresses

The United Democratic Front (UDF), led by the Indian National Congress, has surged ahead in the Kerala Assembly elections, leading in 81 seats as comfortably past the majority mark of 71 in the 140-member house. The Left Democratic Front (LDF), headed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Communist Party of India (Marxist), is leading in 56 seats, while the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has made marginal gains. The counting of votes, which began at 8 am on April 9, follows a single-phase election held on the same day, with a strong voter turnout of 78.27 per cent across all constituencies. Early trends have shifted through the day, but the UDF has maintained a consistent lead, prompting celebrations at the Congress party office, where a cake-cutting ceremony was held.

Incumbent Chief Minister Trails as Seven Ministers Face Defeat

Incumbent Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who was seeking a rare third consecutive term, is trailing in his constituency, according to early trends. Seven ministers from the outgoing LDF government are also trailing as counting progresses, indicating a significant swing against the ruling front. Vijayan had secured a decisive victory in the Dharmadam constituency in the 2026 election, winning 85,614 votes with a margin of 19,247, but the current trends suggest a reversal of fortune. The Congress-led UDF is now poised to return to power after a decade in opposition.

BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar Wins Nemom; Three-Way Fights in Key Seats

Rajeev Chandrasekhar of the BJP clinched the Nemom seat with 57,192 votes (40.75%), defeating CPI(M)'s V. Sivankutty, who secured 52,214 votes (37.20%). Congress candidate Adv. K. S. Sabarinadhan finished third with 29,730 votes (21.18%). The contest remained tightly fought through the counting rounds, but Chandrasekhar maintained a steady lead. In Chathannoor, B.B. Gopakumar of the BJP emerged victorious in a competitive three-way fight, securing 51,923 votes and defeating CPI's Adv. R. Rajendran, who finished second with 47,525 votes. Congress candidate Sooraj Ravi came in third with 35,276 votes.

Regional and Independent Candidates Notch Wins in Select Constituencies

Independent and regional candidates performed strongly in several constituencies. In Payyannur, V. Kunhikrishnan secured victory with 76,640 votes, winning by a margin of 7,487. Mani C. Kappen won Pala with 50,799 votes, leading by 2,991 votes. In Ambalappuzha, G. SudhaKaran registered a decisive win with 75,184 votes, securing the largest margin of 27,935 votes. Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal secured a narrow victory in Kottarakkara, facing a tough fight from former CPI(M) leader Aisha Potty, who had joined the Congress in January this year. The Congress-led UDF also won several seats, including Changanassery, Irinjalakkuda, Kaduthuruthy, Kothamangalam, Piravom, Thiruvananthapuram, and Thodupuzha.

Exit Polls Had Indicated Tight Race, but Kerala Defies Predictions

Exit polls had indicated a tight race between the ruling LDF and the Congress-led UDF, with several projections giving a slight edge to the UDF. The NDA was expected to register marginal gains, though a major breakthrough remained uncertain. However, Kerala has a history of defying exit poll predictions, keeping the final outcome unpredictable. The current trends suggest a decisive shift towards the UDF, with the front crossing the majority mark and the LDF trailing significantly. The final outcome is likely to hinge on narrow margins and constituency-level shifts, but the early leads point to a clear mandate for change.

UDF Leaders Express Confidence as Victory Nears

Congress MP Jebi Mather said, "Going to be a great victory for Congress-led UDF," reflecting the mood in the party. Kovalam Congress candidate M Vincent expressed confidence in a UDF win. The party is now preparing to form the next government in Kerala after a decade in opposition. The counting process continues, with final results expected later today. The outcome will have significant implications for national politics, as Kerala is a key state for the Congress party and its allies.

The bottom line

• The UDF has crossed the majority mark with leads in 81 seats, while the LDF trails in 56.
• Incumbent Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and seven ministers are trailing, signaling a major shift.
• BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar won Nemom, and the party made gains in select seats.
• Voter turnout was high at 78.27%, reflecting strong participation.
• Exit polls had given a slight edge to UDF, but the actual results show a decisive lead.
• The Congress-led UDF is set to return to power after 10 years in opposition.