Kerala election counting: Congress erects shamiyanas, orders ladoos as UDF eyes victory
Synopsis
As votes are counted in Kerala's 15th Assembly election, the Congress-led UDF has set up shamiyanas and ordered ladoos outside its Thiruvananthapuram headquarters — a bold public signal of confidence. But early postal ballot trends show the LDF and UDF in a near-dead heat, with the NDA already leading in four seats and the final verdict far from certain.
Key Takeaways
Counting for the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly election began on 4 May across 140 constituencies .
The Congress -led UDF erected a shamiyana and reportedly placed bulk ladoo orders at its Thiruvananthapuram headquarters, signalling victory confidence.
Early postal ballot trends show the LDF and UDF in a neck-and-neck race.
The NDA is leading in four seats early on, aiming to push vote share beyond 20 per cent .
CPI(M) secretary M.V.
Govindan expressed confidence in a historic third consecutive LDF term .
Counting at Kalamassery was delayed after keys to the strong room were reportedly missing.
As counting for the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly election got underway on Monday, 4 May, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) signalled visible confidence at its state headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, where a shamiyana has been erected and bulk orders for ladoos reportedly placed — a clear indication that the party is bracing for a victory celebration.
Early Trends: A Neck-and-Neck Race
Initial postal ballot trends pointed to a closely fought contest between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the UDF, with neither side establishing a decisive early lead. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), opened its account in four seats where it was leading in early rounds, signalling an intent to expand its footprint in the state.
Counting is progressing across all 140 constituencies under tight security, with electronic voting machine tallies expected to sharpen trends through the morning hours.
LDF Banks on Governance Record
State Communist Party of India (Marxist) secretary M.V. Govindan expressed strong optimism that the LDF is on course for a historic third consecutive term. The Left is banking on its governance record, welfare delivery, and infrastructure push under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as the primary pillars of its campaign narrative.
UDF Anchors Campaign on Anti-Incumbency
The UDF, meanwhile, has anchored its campaign on anti-incumbency, pointing to rising prices, corruption allegations, and unemployment as key voter concerns. Buoyed by exit poll projections favouring a change of guard, Congress leaders appear confident that public sentiment has translated into votes — even as internal leadership tussles reportedly linger in the background.
NDA's Ambitions and Key Battlegrounds
The NDA is aiming to push its vote share beyond 20 per cent, hoping to emerge as a decisive force if the final verdict turns fragmented. High-decibel campaigning and outreach to key communities are seen as its primary strengths in this cycle.
Key battlegrounds being closely watched include Dharmadam, Paravur, Haripad, Thrissur, Palakkad, Nemom, and Nilambur. In a notable early disruption, counting at Kalamassery — the constituency of State Industries Minister P. Rajeeve — was delayed after the keys to the strong room were reportedly found to be missing.
With early leads offering no decisive advantage yet, Kerala awaits clarity on whether the LDF's initial edge will hold or the UDF's visible confidence will translate into a historic change of power.
Point of View
The optics of premature celebration could sting. What this contest really tests is whether Kerala's voters are ready to break a pattern: no party has won three consecutive terms in the state's post-Independence history, which is precisely the wall the LDF is trying to climb. The NDA's early leads in four seats, meanwhile, deserve attention — a double-digit seat tally for the BJP in Kerala would redraw the state's political geometry in ways that neither the LDF nor UDF has fully prepared for.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of Kerala election counting on 4 May?
Counting for the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly election began on 4 May, with early postal ballot trends showing the LDF and UDF in a neck-and-neck race across 140 constituencies. No decisive lead has emerged in the early rounds.
Why has Congress set up a shamiyana and ordered ladoos in Thiruvananthapuram?
The Congress-led UDF erected a shamiyana outside its state headquarters and reportedly placed bulk orders for ladoos as a visible sign of confidence ahead of the election result. The moves signal that the party is prepared for a victory celebration, buoyed by exit poll projections favouring a change of government.
Is the LDF on track for a third consecutive term in Kerala?
CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan has expressed strong optimism that the LDF is on course for a historic third consecutive term, citing the party's governance record, welfare delivery, and infrastructure push under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. However, early trends show the race remains very close.
How is the NDA performing in the Kerala election count?
The NDA, led by the BJP, was leading in four seats in the early rounds of counting. The alliance is aiming to push its vote share beyond 20 per cent and position itself as a decisive force if the final verdict is fragmented.
Which are the key constituencies to watch in the Kerala election results?
Key battlegrounds being closely monitored include Dharmadam, Paravur, Haripad, Thrissur, Palakkad, Nemom, and Nilambur. Kalamassery, the constituency of State Industries Minister P. Rajeeve, also drew attention after counting was delayed due to missing strong room keys.
