After seeing both the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) managing to do a balancing act of power with a wafer-thin majority in the previous two terms, Perumbavoor municipality looks set for an intense race this time.
While the Congress-led UDF exudes optimism that it would retain power with an improved majority, the CPI(M)-led LDF is hopeful of wresting power in the municipality. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has four members in the outgoing council, is eyeing to double its tally this time.
Though considered a traditional stronghold, the suburban municipality has shown the signs of a swing local body of late by refusing to give a clear mandate to either of the two major fronts. The elections in 2015 and 2020 had thrown strangely similar verdicts which saw the LDF and UDF gaining power with the simple majority of 14 seats in the 27-ward municipality. Both times, the fronts managed to win majority with the help of Congress rebels who contested and won as Independents. The LDF’s 2015 term also saw its council falling to a no-confidence motion after the Independent withdrew support. This time, two more wards have been added following delimitation, making 15 the magical number.
The two major fronts this time are keen to avoid such a situation, though the poll planks remain more or less the same as in the previous battles. The UDF is projecting itself as a champion of development, a claim frowned upon by rivals the LDF and the BJP.
The CPI(M) claims to have completed the seat-sharing with its allies. It will contest from 22 seats while six will go to the CPI and one to the Kerala Congress(M). In the UDF, the Congress is likely to field candidates in 26 wards while leaving two to the Indian Union Muslim League and one to the Kerala Congress.
CPI(M) sources revealed that the LDF would highlight the failure of the UDF’s rule over the past five years, focusing on the lack of infrastructure development, traffic woes in Perumbavoor town, and the persistent waste management crisis in the local body. Outgoing municipal chairperson Paul Pathickal contested the allegations, listing major development projects initiated during the UDF tenure, including the ₹2.25-crore development of the Government Boys Higher Secondary School ground and the Netaji Subhash Chandrabose stadium, funded by the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) and the State government, respectively. The chairperson also cited the declaration of the municipality as waste-free by the State government and the Sugandham project of the municipality to beautify waste dumping sites to counter allegations of garbage mismanagement.
The BJP, which has improved its tally to four wards from one over the past three elections, has exuded hope that its attempts to make inroads into traditional supporters of the LDF and the UDF, including the sizeable Christian population in the region, will bear fruit this time. Jawahar T., the BJP Parliamentary Party leader in the municipality, said the party was eyeing to win at least 10 seats. The party is focussing on wards in areas including Kanjirakkad, Iringolekavu, and Kaduval, besides its strongholds.
Published – November 15, 2025 09:33 am IST
