Source The Hindu
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM — Ending a decade of Left rule in the state, Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday submitted his resignation as the Chief Minister of Kerala. The move follows a crushing defeat for the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the 2026 Assembly elections, where the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) secured a landslide victory.
The Final Numbers
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has declared results for all 140 constituencies, confirming a massive shift in the state’s political landscape. The UDF crossed the majority mark comfortably, while the LDF saw its presence in the house drastically reduced.
Alliance/Party Seats Won
United Democratic Front (UDF) 102
Left Democratic Front (LDF) 35
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 3
Cabinet Wipeout and Key Upsets
The results represent a historic setback for the CPI(M)-led front, which had achieved a rare “continuity of mandate” (Thudarbharanam) in 2021. This time, however, the anti-incumbency wave was palpable.
Ministerial Defeats: In a shocking turn of events, 13 out of 21 ministers in the Vijayan cabinet lost their seats, including senior leaders like V. Sivankutty and Kadakampally Surendran.
The BJP Breakthrough: For the first time in Kerala’s history, the BJP won more than a single seat. The party secured three constituencies: Nemom, Kazhakoottam, and Chathannoor. Senior leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar reclaimed Nemom, while V. Muraleedharan won a photo-finish in Kazhakoottam.
The Resignation
Following the declaration of results, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan drove to the Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram to hand over his resignation to the Governor.
Speaking briefly to the press, Vijayan stated that the party would respect the people’s verdict and “introspect on the reasons for the setback.” Critics have pointed toward economic stagnation, corruption allegations, and a perceived disconnect with the youth as primary factors for the LDF’s downfall.
What’s Next?
With 102 seats in their kitty, the UDF is now set to form the government. Celebrations erupted at Indira Bhavan, the Congress headquarters, as the party prepares to name its Chief Ministerial candidate. Leaders including V.D. Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala are being touted as frontrunners for the top post.
The return of the Congress to power in Kerala marks a significant boost for the party nationally, adding Kerala to its roster of Southern states alongside Karnataka and Telangana.
