Thiruvananthapuram, May 4: With early trends indicating a decisive lead for the United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala, senior Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday described the development as a “historic day,” asserting that the scale of victory has surpassed even optimistic projections.
Speaking to reporters as counting progressed, Tharoor expressed strong confidence in the outcome, suggesting that the UDF could potentially cross the 100-seat mark in the Kerala Assembly-an achievement that would mark a significant political shift in the state.
“This is a historic day for us. It’s a tremendous victory-one that, I dare say, most people would agree is even greater than we had expected,” Tharoor said, highlighting the magnitude of the electoral performance.
The results, if sustained, would represent a major setback for the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), which has traditionally been one of the dominant political forces in Kerala. Tharoor pointed out that since 2001, the Left had consistently maintained a strong base, rarely falling below a certain threshold of seats.
“You must realise that since 2001, the CPI-M had consistently held around 60 seats, which they had never lost. This time, for the first time in this century, they have lost that ground,” he said, underlining the significance of the electoral shift.
Tharoor further placed the Kerala results within the broader national political landscape, suggesting that the outcome could signal a continued decline of Left parties across India. He noted that the Left had already lost power in states like West Bengal and Tripura, and the current trends in Kerala could further diminish their political footprint.
“For the country, this is a major development. For the first time, there may be no Left government anywhere in India,” he remarked, indicating that the implications of the result extend beyond state politics.
While refraining from commenting on election developments in other states, Tharoor stressed that the UDF’s strong showing reflects growing political momentum and public support for the Congress-led alliance.
“What we are witnessing here is a strong foundation for the Opposition for the years ahead. We aim to build on this momentum,” he added, suggesting that the outcome could energise opposition politics at the national level.
Looking ahead, Tharoor emphasized governance and reform as key priorities for a potential UDF government in Kerala. He highlighted the need to address public concerns and reshape the narrative around governance in the state. “In Kerala, we will focus on good governance, transformation, and changing a narrative that many people found disappointing. I am looking forward to the work ahead,” he said.
On the question of leadership, particularly the chief ministerial face, Tharoor clarified that the decision would be taken by the party’s central leadership. He, however, stressed the importance of acting swiftly to respect the public mandate. “That, I don’t know, only Delhi can decide. But I believe we should not delay and must honor the people’s mandate by moving forward quickly,” he stated.
He also underscored the depth of leadership within the UDF, noting that the alliance has several capable leaders who could take up the responsibility of leading the state. “One of the great strengths of the UDF is the abundance of capable leaders. There will be no shortage of qualified individuals,” he said. Dismissing speculation about his own candidacy for the top post, Tharoor made it clear that he would continue to serve as a Member of Parliament and support the government in other ways.
“I am an MP in Delhi and will continue in that role. Whoever is chosen, I hope a UDF government will bring meaningful change,” he added. Meanwhile, senior Congress leader K. C. Venugopal attributed the strong performance to a combination of anti-incumbency, effective campaigning, and coordinated efforts by the party leadership. He also credited Rahul Gandhi for his consistent engagement with voters.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot also expressed optimism, stating that the people of Kerala had clearly indicated their desire for change after a decade of Left rule. As counting continues, the emerging trends suggest a decisive shift in Kerala’s political landscape, with the UDF poised to return to power and potentially reshape the state’s governance trajectory.
