Kothamangalam municipality, located in the eastern suburbs of Ernakulam district, is keeping both the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) engaged in the forthcoming election, with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) largely reduced to a marginal player.
The LDF is seeking to retain the municipality for a second consecutive term, having won it in 2020 largely due to internal strife within the UDF.
The UDF, meanwhile, is confident of wresting back power by presenting a united front.
Seat-sharing
Within the LDF, the CPI(M) is contesting in 24 seats, CPI five, and Kerala Congress (Mani) four. On the UDF side, the Congress has fielded candidates in 23 seats, Kerala Congress (Joseph) in six, Kerala Congress (Jacob) in two, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in one, and a Congress-backed Independent in one seat. “There is strong public acceptance of our good governance over the past five years. We have implemented several development projects, including the near completion of a modern crematorium, a long-standing demand since the formation of the municipality, which will be opened within a couple of months.
‘Projects worth Rs. 7 cr.’
“We also established a She Lodge and modernised the market. Projects worth Rs. 7 crore have been proposed for the municipality under the Navakerala Sadas, with technical sanction already received for a town hall,” said K.A. Roy, CPI(M) area committee secretary, Kothamangalam.
The LDF remains confident of returning to power in the municipality, which gained two additional wards in the recent delimitation, bringing the total to 33.
The LDF considers Kothamangalam town its stronghold and seeks to extend its influence into the suburban wards from there.
UDF sources admit that the front would have secured a hat-trick of victories in 2020 if not for internal strife within the Congress and friction with allies, particularly the IUML.
Reserved for women
Reportedly, chairperson aspirants within the party undermined each other, dragging the UDF down in the process. This time, the chairperson’s post being reserved for women is seen by many as a blessing in disguise, though the former Congress chairperson in 2015, Manju Siju, has rebelled and is contesting as an Independent candidate.
“We are confident of returning to power this time. Kothamangalam has witnessed no development over the past five years. With the chairperson facing health issues, the municipality was run by proxies, one of whom faced criminal charges and was subsequently expelled by the CPI(M).
“If we can quell the rebels, the UDF can win up to 23 seats,” said Babu Elias, one of the two Congress block presidents in Kothamangalam.
‘Desperation for change’
Though yet to open its account in the municipality, the BJP remains optimistic about making inroads, citing what it perceives as growing desperation for change among the people.
“Candidates who previously contested on Congress and CPI(M) tickets are now approaching us, and we have fielded many of them,” said Sindhu Praveen, BJP’s Kothamangalam mandalam president.
Published – December 01, 2025 10:00 am IST
