Counting for the two-phase local body elections in Kerala continued on Friday, with early trends indicating a significant shift in the state’s urban political landscape. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is leading in four out of six municipal corporations, while the BJP-led NDA has made notable gains in the state capital.

According to trends, the UDF has taken a clear lead in Kollam, Kochi, and Thrissur, and is set to retain Kannur. Meanwhile, the NDA is ahead in Thiruvananthapuram, putting it on course to capture the capital city corporation. If confirmed, this would mark a historic moment for the BJP in Kerala, as the party has never formed a government in the state.

In Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the NDA is leading in 50 of the 101 wards, just one short of the majority mark of 51. The BJP is expected to cross the halfway mark shortly. The city is represented in Parliament by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, whose relationship with the party has recently been a subject of political discussion.

Interestingly, the BJP has failed to perform strongly in several areas represented by its own MPs. In Thrissur—home constituency of BJP MP and actor Suresh Gopi—the party is trailing, and its hopes of winning the Thrissur Corporation, along with municipalities like Kodungallur and Shornur, appear to have fallen short.

Reacting to the results, Shashi Tharoor congratulated the UDF on its strong performance in the 2025 Kerala local body elections. He described the BJP’s showing in Thiruvananthapuram as historic.

“Many congratulations to the UDF on their impressive victories in various local bodies. This is a huge endorsement and a strong signal ahead of the state assembly elections,” Tharoor wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

He added, “I would also like to acknowledge the BJP’s historic performance in Thiruvananthapuram and offer my congratulations on their significant victory in the city corporation. It marks a major shift in the capital’s political landscape. I campaigned for a change after 45 years of LDF misrule, but voters have ultimately rewarded another party that promised a clear change in governance.”