Red Kerala falls: Communist-backed Left Democratic Front suffers historic electoral defeat

The Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), suffered a major electoral defeat in the recent state assembly elections in Kerala, bringing to an end a decade of Left governance in one of India’s most politically advanced and socially progressive states.

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) secured a commanding parliamentary majority, winning 102 out of 140 seats, while the CPI(M)-led alliance was reduced to just 35 seats. 

 

Kerala: Communist-backed LDF alliance wins landslide victory in local body elections

As counting of votes in the local body elections in the Indian state of Kerala is inching towards the final lap, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) has gained a clear edge in village, block, district panchayats, municipal and corporation councils. 

The LDF, which had won a majority of local bodies in 2015, is poised to either retain its existing numbers or improve its tally further.  

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that it will be a historic election and the Left Democratic Front will win seats even in areas which have not been its strongholds earlier.