UDF tsunami in Kozhikode: Wins 12 of 13 seats, LDF reduced to one; convener loses

The United Democratic Front (UDF), which swept across Kerala in the Assembly elections, has dismantled several Left strongholds in Kozhikode district. The UDF has rewritten the electoral record of the past 15 years by winning 12 out of 13 constituencies in the district.

The only constituency the Left Democratic Front (LDF) managed to retain was Beypore, where P. A. Mohammed Riyas contested.

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Kozhikode had long been considered a Left bastion, but that fortress has now been decisively captured by the UDF. This election marks a significant breakthrough for the alliance in the district. In 2001, the UDF had put up a strong performance, winning six seats, with the LDF also securing six. In 2006, the UDF’s tally dropped to just one seat. It improved to three seats in 2011 but was limited to two seats in the subsequent two elections.

In Elathur, Forest Minister and NCP leader A. K. Saseendran lost to Congress candidate Adv. Vidya Balakrishnan by 12,162 votes, ending a long-standing winning streak for the LDF and the NCP in the constituency.

Former minister Ahmed Devarkovil also suffered defeat. Indian Union Muslim League candidate Faisal Babu, contesting as part of the UDF, won the seat by 10,795 votes.

In a major setback for the Left, LDF convener T. P. Ramakrishnan lost the Perambra seat to Fathima Tahlia, dealing a significant blow to the Left leadership in the district.