Left suffers setback in Kerala

Pinarayi Vijayan campaigns on April 8 -- image via the CPI(M) on Facebook

The 2026 Kerala election results indicate a serious setback for the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), which has been in power for the past decade. Early trends and vote counting showed some LDF ministers trailing and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is leading in over 100 of the 140 Assembly seats.

While Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan managed to retain his Dharmadom seat in Kannur by a comfortable margin, the overall performance of the LDF was poor compared to previous elections.

The CPI(M) released a statement regarding the results in both Kerala and elsewhere in India:

The two major features of the assembly election results are the serious setback to the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Keralam and the victory of the BJP in West Bengal. The DMK-led alliance also suffered a setback in Tamil Nadu, where the TVK led by Vijay emerged as a major force.

The BJP was able to retain Assam and along with the NR Congress, once again won in Puducherry.

The LDF was defeated in Keralam after ten years of continuous rule, during which it had done its best for the welfare of the people and to meet their aspirations, given the financial constraints imposed by the BJP-led Union government.

In West Bengal, the BJP benefited from several factors, including the strong anti-incumbency against the corrupt TMC government. Its communal, divisive and vitriolic hate campaign, the huge amounts of money they spent, and the misuse of Central agencies including the Election Commission of India (ECI), the SIR exercise, have all contributed to their victory. Even in such a polarised situation, the Left could marginally improve its performance.

In West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry, the results show the ascendancy of right-wing communal forces led by the BJP, which is a matter of deep concern for all the secular, progressive and democratic forces.

The CPI(M) thanks the people and cadres who have reposed their faith in the Party and its allies and voted for it. The CPI(M) respects the people's verdict and will introspect on the reasons that led to the defeat of the LDF in Keralam. We assure that the Party will take all necessary corrective measures and continue to struggle for the rights of the people and in defence of secularism and democracy.

The upcoming meetings of the Polit Bureau and the Central Committee will undertake a comprehensive analysis and formulate a plan of action to meet the challenges posed by the new political situation emerging from the election results.