Kerala local body polls: key victories and defeats among prominent candidates

The Kerala local body election results brought significant political shifts across major corporations and municipalities, with prominent leaders from all three fronts registering notable wins and defeats.

The UDF emerged as the dominant force in several urban local bodies, particularly in Kochi Corporation, where it returned to power after five years.

Deepthy Mary Varghese, KPCC General Secretary, won from the Stadium division, Kochi Corporation. A key face of the UDF campaign, she is seen as a leading contender for the Mayor’s post, which is reserved for women this term.

V.K. Minimol secured a victory in Kochi Corporation from Palarivattom Division, emerging as another strong UDF mayoral contender.

Shiny Mathew also won from the Fort Kochi division in Kochi Corporation, giving the UDF multiple senior women leaders to choose from for the mayoral post.

P.D. Martin won from Girinagar, Kochi Corporation, defeating a strong Congress rebel candidate and reinforcing party authority in a crucial urban ward.

M.G. Aristotle, Parliamentary Party Secretary in the previous Kochi council, won from Kaloor South division, marking the return of established UDF leadership.

Henry Austin secured a significant victory from Vaduthala East, Kochi Corporation, wresting the division from the LDF, which had held it for nearly five decades.

Nirmala Rajappan won from Gandhi Nagar, Kochi Corporation, a ward traditionally considered an LDF stronghold, though by a narrow margin.

V.P. Chandran, a former CPI(M) councillor contesting as a UDF-backed independent, won from Vyttila in Kochi Corporation.

Despite its overall success, the UDF suffered several high-profile defeats.

Antony Kureethara, the Opposition Leader in the previous Kochi Corporation council, lost from Island North division to the BJP’s T. Padmakumari, marking a major setback.

In Kozhikode Corporation, P.M. Niyas, a prominent Congress leader and potential mayoral candidate, lost from Paroppadi ward to NDA candidate Harish Pottangadi.

In Palakkad Municipality, K. Bhavadas, a senior Congress leader and former rebel, lost from Murukani ward to the BJP’s P. Smithesh.

Malini Kurup, a three-time Congress councillor who contested as a rebel, finished third in Girinagar, Kochi Corporation.

The LDF managed to register some important individual wins despite setbacks elsewhere.

In Kochi Corporation, Beena Divakaran of the CPI(M) won from Ponnurunni East, defeating BJP defector Sunitha Dixon in a highly contested race.

Ajin S.L. secured a significant victory from Thrikkannapuram ward, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, considered one of the LDF’s major reliefs in the capital.

K.J. Prakashan, an LDF-backed independent, won from Mundamveli East, Kochi Corporation, a newly created division.

In Kozhikode Corporation, V. Sreenivasan won from X ward, playing a key role in the LDF retaining control of the Corporation.

On the other hand, several senior LDF leaders suffered major defeats.

In Kozhikode Corporation, C.P. Musafar Ahmed, the incumbent Deputy Mayor and a widely expected mayoral candidate, lost from Meenchanda ward to the UDF’s S.K. Aboobacker, marking a major upset.

In Kochi Corporation, Deepa Varma, a prominent CPI(M) leader and potential mayoral nominee, lost in the Edappally division.

The LDF faced a rout in Kannur Corporation, where senior leaders, including P.K. Ragesh (Panikkara), O.K. Vineesh (Thalikkavu), and K.P. Sabira (Arakkal), were all defeated. Vineesh is a former State Sports Council president, while Sabira previously served as a standing committee chairperson.

T. Sujan, an established CPI(M) councillor, also lost from Panjikkayil ward in Kozhikode Corporation.

The NDA recorded historic victories across several local bodies.

In Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, R. Sreelekha, a retired IPS officer and former DGP, won from Sasthamangalam ward, emerging as a potential mayoral candidate and the face of the NDA’s historic majority in the Corporation. She is the first Lady Officer of the IPS from Kerala.

V.V. Rajesh, BJP district president, won from Kodunganoor, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, strengthening the party’s leadership base in the capital. Vaishna Suresh, a first-time candidate, won from Muttada, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, defeating the sitting CPI(M) councillor.

In Kochi Corporation, T. Padmakumari secured a major win from Island North division, defeating UDF leader Antony Kureethara.

In Palakkad Municipality, P. Smithesh, BJP district secretary, won from Murukani ward, helping the BJP retain the municipality for a third consecutive term. E. Krishnadas, BJP State treasurer and former vice-chairperson, won from Pattikkara ward, positioning himself as a strong contender for the chairperson’s post.

In Ernakulam district, Anoop Antony Joseph won from Munambam, a town linked to a long-running land dispute involving the Waqf Board.

The NDA also faced notable individual defeats.

In Kochi Corporation, Sunitha Dixon, a former two-time UDF councillor who defected to the BJP, finished third in Ponnurunni East, losing to CPI(M)’s Beena Divakaran.