Congress-led UDF secured 99 seats in the 2026 Kerala assembly election results, ending LDF's decade-long rule. The ruling LDF won 35 seats while NDA gained 3. This marks a power shift after ten years.
In Kerala's 140-member assembly, Congress-led UDF clinched 99 seats in the final counting stages, as reported by Aaj Tak. Ruling LDF secured 35 while BJP-led NDA won 3. Indian Express noted LDF reduced to 34 seats, and The Hindu reported UDF at 97.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan won Dharmadam in Kannur by over 8,000 votes, but several ministers and senior leaders lost. LDF convener T P Ramakrishnan lost Perambra in Kozhikode. Indian Express said LDF struggles to pick opposition leader as most cabinet colleagues were defeated.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor stated, "Congress has such an abundance of talent in Kerala," adding the next chief minister decision will come quickly after consulting MLAs. BJP won Nemom and Kazhakootam in Thiruvananthapuram, and a third seat in Chathannoor, Kollam.
CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby rejected Congress accusations of BJP collusion as a "deliberate" narrative. UDF called it rejection of LDF's anti-people policies. Left parties hold no ruling state for the first time since 1977.
