Congress-Led UDF Takes Lead in Kerala Elections

May 4, 2026

78 min

May 4, 2026 06:31

Kerala vote count: Congress-led UDF crosses halfway mark

## UDF Surges Ahead in Kerala

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has taken a significant lead in the Kerala elections, surpassing the halfway mark as vote counting continues. Early trends from the Election Commission show the UDF leading in 82 seats, with the Congress party itself ahead in 50 constituencies and its ally, the Indian Union Muslim League, leading in 17.

## LDF Faces Setbacks

The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is trailing, with leads in only 51 seats. Notably, 14 ministers, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, are behind in their constituencies. This marks a stark contrast to 2021 when Vijayan secured a substantial victory in Dharmadam.

## Anti-Incumbency Sentiment

Congress leaders attribute their lead to a strong anti-incumbency sentiment against the LDF government. State Congress president Sunny Joseph cited "anti-people policies" as a factor in the ruling alliance's performance. Congress MP Jebi Mather expressed surprise at the outcome, noting it reflects both confidence in UDF leadership and dissatisfaction with the LDF.

## Counting Across Multiple States

Vote counting is underway in Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Puducherry. The process began with postal ballots, followed by Electronic Voting Machine counts. Security measures have been heightened at counting centers to ensure a smooth process.

## Security and Tensions

In West Bengal, security has been tightened with patrols and armoured vehicles in sensitive areas. Minor tensions have been reported, with rival party agents trading allegations over access rules in counting halls. As the day progresses, trends are expected to stabilize, providing a clearer picture of the election outcomes.

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