Thiruvananthapuram, June 23
With a resounding victory in the Nilambur by-election — the fifth by-poll held during the second Pinarayi Vijayan government — the United Democratic Front (UDF) has reached a peak of political confidence.
But this was not the case just a few years ago. After the historic triumph in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the UDF suffered a string of shocking defeats in subsequent by-elections. Today, under the leadership of V.D. Satheesan, the front has staged a remarkable comeback, winning election after election.
Riding high on its 2019 Lok Sabha win, the UDF faced by-elections in Pala, Vattiyoorkavu, Konni, and Aroor.
The results were disheartening. For the first time in decades, the UDF lost Pala. Vattiyoorkavu and Konni — both sitting seats — slipped into the hands of the LDF.
The only consolation was a narrow victory in Aroor, where Shanimol Usman scraped through. These defeats exposed a lack of strategy and coordination within the UDF and marked one of its darkest political phases.
The tide began to turn in 2021 when V.D. Satheesan took over as the Leader of the Opposition.
Learning from past mistakes, Satheesan and his team adopted a campaign model that could rival even the CPM’s strong organisational machinery. His leadership brought in
• Meticulous Planning: From candidate selection to polling day logistics, every stage was strategically executed.
• Grassroots Mobilisation : Campaigns focused on direct voter contact through squad work and neighborhood meetings.
• Agenda Setting: The UDF capitalized on growing anti-incumbency sentiment and set its own narrative, often putting the LDF on the defensive.
What began with a turnaround in Thrikkakara continued through Puthuppally and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, culminating now in Nilambur. Satheesan’s message has remained clear: “Everyone deserves credit for victory, but I alone bear the responsibility for defeat.” That kind of accountability has instilled renewed confidence in the UDF’s grassroots cadre.
Emboldened by this streak of victories, Satheesan is now projecting an ambitious goal: to win 100 seats in the 2026 Assembly elections and return the UDF to power.
For a front that is aggressively challenging the political hegemony of Pinarayi Vijayan, the Nilambur by-election is more than just another legislative win — it is fuel for a larger battle to reclaim Kerala.
