While the LDF leadership has tried to put up a brave face after their rout in the recent Lok Sabha polls in Kerala, the reports emanating from the ground suggest that the ruling front will have to slog hard to regain its lost ground. Many left leaders though maintain that the defeat in Lok Sabha election results is unlikely to negatively impact their party's chances in the 2026 assembly elections. They cite the example of the 2021 assembly elections which were held two years after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls when the LDF faced a similar rout winning just one seat.
Many then thought the trend would continue till the assembly elections in 2021. However, LDF swept the polls winning 99 of the 140 seats. This victory also marked a record for consecutive wins by any state government in assembly elections since 1970.
In Kerala, the Lok Sabha results have very little impact on the assembly polls, and Left leadership anticipates a similar situation this time as well. However, observers believe that the political situation in the state has undergone a notable change since 2021 especially after the BJP opened its account in Thrissur and registered a lead in 11 constituencies. Besides, the party came second in nine assembly segments spread across five districts and third in 10 assembly constituencies.
This indicates that the BJP has the potential to emerge as the decisive force in as many as 30 seats. Previously, the Congress was weak at the national level, but after the recent Lok Sabha po.
