Kerala Local Body Polls 2025: Both LDF, UDF harbour hopes in Kothamangalam

The Kothamangalam municipality, located in the eastern suburbs of Ernakulam district and bordering the neighbouring Idukki district, qualifies as a ‘swing’ local body, given that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) have each won twice since 2005.

Despite its earlier dominance in the municipality, known as the ‘Gateway of the High Ranges,’ and two consecutive terms in power from 2010, the UDF ceded ground to the LDF in 2020. In the 31-member council, the LDF secured 17 seats — 15 for CPI(M), and one each for CPI and Kerala Congress (M) — while the UDF won 14 seats — 11 for the Congress and three for Kerala Congress (Jacob).

A hat-trick lost

Had it not been for the internal tussle between alliance partners Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League, along with infighting within the Congress, the UDF might have achieved a hat-trick at the polls. However, the Kothamangalam Assembly constituency, which includes the municipality and eight panchayats, has elected CPI(M)’s Antony John since 2016.

In contrast, during the 2024 parliamentary elections, Congress’s Dean Kuriakose won the Idukki constituency, which encompasses the Kothamangalam Assembly segment, defeating CPI(M)’s Joyce George by a thumping margin of 1.33 lakh votes, securing 51.43% of the total votes cast. Mr. Kuriakose led by nearly 5,000 votes in the Kothamangalam municipality alone, with his lead expanding to around 21,000 votes across the entire Kothamangalam constituency.

After delimitation

Following delimitation, the number of wards in the municipality has increased to 33. While CPI(M) denies having any issues with its LDF ally Kerala Congress (M), the party had a somewhat strained relationship with the latter’s sole councillor and standing committee chairperson towards the end of the term. The Congress remains optimistic about regaining control, accusing the outgoing LDF-led governing committee of poor performance, citing how the annual Plan fund utilisation consistently hovered below 50% throughout the five-year tenure. With the chairperson’s post reserved for women, both fronts will have to field experienced women candidates during this election.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) remains a marginal force in the municipality, having no councillors in the outgoing council. Its presence in the eight panchayats of the Kothamangalam Assembly constituency is also negligible, rendering the contest for the municipality a direct battle between the LDF and the UDF.

In the last Assembly election, the National Democratic Alliance’s ally Bharath Dharma Jana Sena finished fourth, trailing even Twenty20, an apolitical outfit backed by the Kitex Group. However the BJP candidate put up an improved showing and garnered over 91,000 votes, accounting for a 10.86% vote share in the 2024 general elections. But the other two major fronts dismissed this performance as inconsequential in the context of local body elections, where the party plays a far less prominent role.

Twenty20 has chosen not to field candidates in the municipality.