The CPM-led LDF is set to defy the trend of incumbent governments not getting re-elected in the last four decades in Kerala. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the LDF is expected to finish between 95 and 100 seats, eclipsing its 2016 tally of 91 seats.

‘Metroman’ E Sreedharan of the BJP, on whom the saffron camp had placed huge stakes, lost to Congress’ Shafi Parambil by a margin of 3,859 votes in Palakkad. It shows the clear choices made by Kerala voters with regards to the image of the party with which a candidate is associated.

The UDF led by Congress, which had seen a glimpse of the mood of the voters during the local body elections last year, will once again have to play the role of the opposition in the next five years. It is expected to get somewhere between 40 and 45 seats.

BJP, which had opened its account in the state last time with one seat and had expected to win at least half a dozen seats, is staring at a drought. It is set to draw a blank. Senior leaders like Kummanam Rajasekharan, K Surendran, Sobha Surendran, and E Sreedharan were all trailing in their respective seats.

LDF’s victory marks the first time since the 1980s that an incumbent political combination has returned to power in Kerala. In doing so, the LDF has surpassed its earlier tally of 91 in the 140-member Assembly.

Strong and decisive leadership by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during the crises, floods, and pandemic, that had battered the state during the past few years contrasted sharply with the Congress-led UDF regime. Minorities, especially Muslims, saw Vijayan and the LDF as a bulwark against the emergence of the BJP in the state. Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja wins by a record margin of 60,963 votes from Mattannur. Her work during the pandemic and other crises in Kerala has substantially helped the LDF sail into its second term, which is once in a lifetime event in Kerala politics.

Film actor Dulquer Salmaan congratulated Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on winning the State Assembly elections. Dulquer Salmaan posted on Facebook, “The past few weeks have been bleak to say the least. Everyday the news has been difficult to come to terms with. Amidst all of that today brought joy. Hearty congratulations to Hon. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his team for their historic win. You have shown exemplary leadership during some of the toughest times Kerala has faced and we look forward to a brighter future ahead.”

Former Union minister and BJP leader K J Alphons loses from Kanjirappally. Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran wins from Kazhakootam by a margin of 23,497 votes. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala wins by a margin of 13,666 votes from Haripad.