The Left Democratic Front (LDF) consolidated its political dominance in Kannur district by winning a majority of local self-government bodies.
The most striking outcome was in Anthoor municipality, where the LDF registered a clean sweep by winning all the 29 wards, several by huge margins. Five of the seats were secured uncontested even before polling. The front also performed strongly in the district panchayat, winning 18 of the 25 seats and captured eight of the 11 block panchayat seats. It retained control of five of the eight municipalities in the district and emerged victorious in 48 of the 71 gram panchayats.
Despite the overall dominance of the LDF, the United Democratic Front (UDF) made notable gains, particularly at the grassroots level. The LDF’s grama panchayat tally dropped by 10 seats compared to the 2020 elections, indicating pockets of erosion. While the UDF retained its existing strongholds, it wrested control from the CPI(M) in Udayagiri, Payyavoor-Kanichar, Aralam-Kelakam, Kottiyoor, Kunnothuparamba, Narath, Cherupuzha and Munderi panchayats. In total, the UDF won control of 21 grama panchayats.
The UDF also secured one block panchayat and seven district panchayat seats. A significant gain for the front came in the Kannur Corporation where it emerged with a clear majority by winning 36 divisions, ensuring the retention of power. The LDF’s tally in the Corporation dropped from 19 divisions in the previous council to 15 this time.
The Corporation results were particularly significant as it was widely expected that the corruption allegation raised by CPI(M) district secretary K.K. Ragesh against the UDF-led council and the presence of UDF rebel candidates would tilt the balance in favour of the LDF. However, the verdict went against those expectations.
UDF leaders described the result as a public rejection of what they termed the anti-people policies of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government.
District Congress Committee president Martin George said voters had decisively rejected the CPI(M)’s alleged attempt to promote communal polarisation during the election campaign. He alleged that voters firmly resisted widespread attacks reportedly carried out by CPI(M) workers on the eve of polling and on polling day.
The elections also marked a significant moment for the BJP, which improved its tally across the district.
For the first time since the formation of the Kannur Corporation, the BJP won four divisions in the civic body. The party also secured 17 wards across eight municipalities and won 22 wards in the 71 grama panchayats.
BJP Kannur district president K.K. Vinod said the party’s improved performance reflected the growing public acceptance of its development-focused politics.
The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) also celebrated the results after registering a maiden victory at Arakkal in the Kannur Corporation and winning Ward 4 (Baalathil) of Thalassery Municipality, making its first breakthrough in the district’s urban local bodies.
Published – December 14, 2025 01:50 am IST
