Kerala election results 2025: Counting begins Monday, LDF hat-trick on the line
Synopsis
Kerala's 2025 assembly election count begins Monday at 8 a.m. — and the central question is whether Pinarayi Vijayan's LDF can break the state's most stubborn political pattern: no front has ever won three consecutive terms. The UDF wants its comeback, the BJP wants its foot in the door, and a minister is quietly asking neighbours if the Left will survive.
Key Takeaways
Vote counting for the Kerala Assembly election 2025 begins at 8 a.m. on Monday , starting with postal votes.
LDF under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is chasing an unprecedented third consecutive term.
UDF led by Congress is seeking to reclaim power on the back of perceived anti-incumbency.
BJP aims to reopen its account after losing its lone seat in the 2021 election.
Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian seeks a third win from Chengannur , where the Manmohan Bungalow is reputedly cursed for incumbent ministers.
Early EVM trends expected by 8:30 a.m. ; a clearer result picture likely by mid-afternoon.
Thiruvananthapuram: With vote counting for the Kerala Assembly election 2025 set to begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, political tension has gripped the state, cutting across party lines. The results will determine whether the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, can script an unprecedented third consecutive term — a feat no political front has achieved in Kerala's post-Independence history.
What Is at Stake for Each Front
For the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]-led LDF, Monday is a defining moment. A third straight victory would shatter Kerala's long-entrenched pattern of alternating governments between the Left and the United Democratic Front (UDF). Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has campaigned on a governance and welfare delivery record, but the absence of a clear decisive narrative in the final days has left room for doubt even within the Left camp.
For the UDF, anchored by the Indian National Congress (Congress), the election represents a potential comeback built on perceived shifts in voter sentiment. The front is banking on anti-incumbency and a consolidation of its traditional support base to reclaim power after five years in opposition.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), meanwhile, has set more measured targets — reopening its account after losing its lone seat in the 2021 Kerala Assembly election, and, if momentum permits, expanding its footprint in a state where it has historically struggled to translate national-level support into legislative wins.
How Counting Will Unfold
The counting process will commence at 8 a.m. with postal and service votes. By 8:30 a.m., the tabulation of votes polled through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be underway. Early trends from the first few rounds are expected to shape the broader narrative of the day, with most projections suggesting a clearer picture by mid-afternoon.
A Minister's Question and the Manmohan Bungalow Curse
On Saturday morning, the undercurrent of tension was visible even in routine political interactions. State Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian, contesting from the Chengannur constituency and seeking a third consecutive personal victory, exuded public confidence. Yet, as he met acquaintances over morning coffee, he reportedly kept returning to the same question:
Point of View
It would not merely be a political milestone; it would signal a structural realignment in how Keralites evaluate incumbency. Conversely, a UDF return would reinforce the state's reputation as one of India's most disciplined swing electorates. The BJP's subplot is equally consequential in the long run: even a marginal seat gain in Kerala would validate its southern expansion strategy ahead of the 2026 and 2029 electoral cycles. What mainstream coverage tends to underplay is that the real story may not be who wins, but by how much — a thin-margin LDF win would be as politically significant as a loss.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Kerala election 2025 results be declared?
Vote counting begins at 8 a.m. on Monday, with EVM counting starting by 8:30 a.m. A clear picture of results is expected by mid-afternoon, though official declarations may follow later in the day.
Can the LDF win a third consecutive term in Kerala?
No political front in Kerala has won three consecutive assembly terms since the state's formation. The LDF under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is attempting to break this pattern, making it the central question of the 2025 election.
What is the Manmohan Bungalow curse in Kerala politics?
The Manmohan Bungalow in Chengannur is reportedly believed to bring misfortune to ministers who reside there — either they do not complete their full term or fail to win re-election. Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian, who lived there during his current term, is contesting from Chengannur and seeking a third consecutive win.
What is the BJP's target in the Kerala 2025 election?
The BJP's primary goal is to reopen its account in the Kerala Assembly after losing its lone seat in the 2021 election. A secondary objective is to expand its seat tally if electoral momentum allows, as part of its broader southern India strategy.
What is the UDF's strategy in the 2025 Kerala election?
The UDF, led by the Congress, is banking on anti-incumbency against the five-year LDF government and a consolidation of its traditional support base. The front views this election as an opportunity to reclaim power after being in opposition since 2021.
