District Collector Dineshan Cheruvatt inspecting the media centre at the district information office in the Idukki Collectorate on Friday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
All the major fronts in Idukki are expecting a stunning victory in the local body elections, the results of which are scheduled to be out on Saturday.
While the United Democratic Front (UDF) is hoping to reclaim its stronghold, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) is expecting to continue its 2020 local body election victory in the district. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is hoping to deepen its influence and take over the administration of a few panchayats. Three Tamil Nadu-based political parties too are expecting to win some seats.
At present, out of the 52 panchayats in Idukki, 28 are with the LDF, 22 with the Congress-led UDF, and one with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The UDF is in charge of two municipalities: Kattappana and Thodupuzha. Initially, the LDF had come to power in Thodupuzha with the support of a Congress rebel, but in 2024, the UDF returned to power after moving a no-confidence motion. The LDF controls the district panchayat.
‘Strong influence’
Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] district secretary C.V. Varghese claimed that the party will win more seats than in the 2020 local body polls in the district. “The LDF will show a strong influence in the grama panchayats, block panchayats and municipalities in Idukki this time,” said Mr. Varghese.
The UDF has shown the importance it assigns to the election by fielding senior leaders like former MLA E.M. Augusty as candidates, said UDF leaders.
UDF district chairperson Jo Vettikkuzhi said the front is expecting a 2010-model big victory this time. “Now the Congress has build a stronger base in the district and this would be reflected in the elections,” said Mr. Vettikkuzhi.
The BJP has also raised its hopes for the local body polls. The party’s south district president V.C. Varghese said the BJP has fielded the maximum number of candidates on the official party symbol, unlike the other fronts. “We are expecting big win in the local body polls,” he said.
T.N.-based parties
The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), all Tamil Nadu-based parties,have fielded candidates this time and are expecting success in few seats, especially with the support of Tamil-origin plantation workers.
Meanwhile, District Collector Dineshan Cheruvatt said the district administration has completed all arrangements for the counting of votes. “A total of 10 counting centres were arranged in the district. As many as 2,000 officials were deputed for the counting process, and 1,500 police personnel were deputed for the security arrangements. “To provide timely updates for the count, a media centre has been set up in the district information office,” said Mr. Cheruvatt.
Published – December 12, 2025 08:24 pm IST
