Keralam Assembly polls result 2026: Vijayan resigns as chief minister after LDF defeat

Pinarayi Vijayan. File Pic

Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday resigned as Keralam Chief Minister following the Left Democratic Front's (LDF) crushing defeat in the April 9 assembly elections, ending a decade-long tenure in office, PTI reported.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar accepted the resignation and requested Vijayan to continue as caretaker chief minister until alternative arrangements are made, according to a Raj Bhavan statement.

UDF sweeps to power with decisive mandate

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) secured a resounding victory, winning 102 seats in the 140-member Assembly, while the CPI(M)-led LDF managed just 35 seats, according to Election Commission data.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opened its account in the state assembly by winning three seats.

End of Left rule in state

The outcome marks the end of Left governance in Keralam and, significantly, its absence from power in any Indian state for the first time in five decades.

Strong anti-incumbency and consolidation of votes in favour of the UDF were seen as key factors behind the sweeping verdict.

Major setbacks for LDF leaders

The electoral setback was severe for the ruling front, with 13 ministers losing their seats. Among the few winners from the outgoing cabinet were Vijayan himself, P A Mohamed Riyas, K N Balagopal, and Saji Cherian.

Several senior leaders, including LDF convenor TP Ramakrishnan, also lost their constituencies.

Congress leaders emerge as CM contenders

Senior Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala and VD Satheesan retained their seats with comfortable margins, positioning themselves as frontrunners for the chief minister's post.

BJP makes limited breakthrough

The BJP made modest gains by winning three seats, including Nemom and Kazhakoottam in Thiruvananthapuram district and Chathannoor in Kollam.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, V Muraleedharan and BB Gopakumar were among the party's winners.

Congress thanks voters

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra thanked voters for their support, saying the mandate would guide the UDF in delivering on its promises.

"We will work towards building a better future with honesty and humility," she said in a post on X.

LDF to review defeat

CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan said the party would analyse the reasons behind the defeat and take corrective measures.

"The LDF will evaluate and study the defeat and undertake organisational changes," he said.

'Rejection of misrule'

Congress leader KC Venugopal termed the verdict a rejection of "misrule", while BJP leaders described the outcome as an anti-CPI(M) vote.

The results also saw rebel leaders who joined the UDF breach traditional Left strongholds, signalling a broader political shift in the state.

(With PTI inputs)