Kerala election results 2026: CPI(M) likely to lose its lone bastion as UDF heads for landslide win

KOCHI: As the election trends from the state seem to be largely favouring the United Democratic Front (UDF), the CPI(M) is losing its ground in the lone bastion of Kerala.The leftist party founded in 1964 after a split from CPI has led governments in Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura and was part of a ruling coalition in Tamilnadu. CPI(M) has been in power in at least one of the states since 1977.The party has also led the government in West Bengal for 34 consecutive years. The potential election will make CPIM stay out of power for the first time in decades.The election loss is also a serious setback to veteran CPI(M) leaders such as Pinarayi Vijayan and the newly elected party General Secretary MA Baby.Although the result in Kerala is largely seen as a verdict on anti-incumbency, the political observers believe the eroding connection of the party from the grassroots has caused a decline in popularity among voters resulting in the election verdict.The CPI(M) also faced major setbacks in the Loksabha elections in Kerala held in 2024 and the elections to local body polls held in December 2025.