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| image_size = 130 | | image_size = 130 | ||
| caption = [[Coat of arms of Kerala]] | | caption = [[Coat of arms of Kerala]] | ||
| government = [[Democracy|Democratic]] | | government = [[Democracy|Democratic]], [[Parliamentary system]] | ||
| constitution = [[Constitution of India]] | | constitution = [[Constitution of India]] | ||
| formation = 1950 | | formation = 1950 | ||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
| legislature_type = Unicameral | | legislature_type = Unicameral | ||
| legislature_place = [[Niyamasabha Mandiram|Assembly Building]] | | legislature_place = [[Niyamasabha Mandiram|Assembly Building]] | ||
| legislature_speaker = [[ | | legislature_speaker = [[A. N. Shamseer]] | ||
| legislature_speaker_title = Speaker | | legislature_speaker_title = Speaker | ||
| title_hos = [[Governor of Kerala|Governor]] | | title_hos = [[Governor of Kerala|Governor]] | ||
| current_hos = [[ | | current_hos = [[Rajendra Arlekar|Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar]] | ||
| title_hog = [[Chief minister (India)|Chief Minister]] | | title_hog = [[Chief minister (India)|Chief Minister]] | ||
| current_hog = [[Pinarayi Vijayan]] | | current_hog = [[Pinarayi Vijayan]] | ||
| appointer_hog = [[Governor of Kerala|Governor]] | | appointer_hog = [[Governor of Kerala|Governor]] | ||
| cabinet = | | cabinet = [[Kerala Council of Ministers]] | ||
| current_cabinet = | | current_cabinet = [[Second Vijayan ministry]] | ||
| cabinet_leader = [[Chief minister (India)|Chief Minister]] | | cabinet_leader = [[Chief minister (India)|Chief Minister]] | ||
| cabinet_deputyleader = | | cabinet_deputyleader = | ||
| cabinet_appointer = [[Governor of Kerala|Governor]] | | cabinet_appointer = [[Governor of Kerala|Governor]] | ||
| cabinet_hq = | | cabinet_hq =[[Kerala Government Secretariat]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]] | ||
| cabinet_ministries = | | cabinet_ministries =[[List of departments and agencies of the Government of Kerala|44]] | ||
| judiciary = [[Judiciary of India]] | | judiciary = [[Judiciary of India]] | ||
| law = | | law = | ||
| court = [[Kerala High Court]] | | court = [[Kerala High Court]] | ||
| chief_judge = [[ | | chief_judge = [[Nitin Madhukar Jamdar]] | ||
| court_seat = [[Kochi]] | | court_seat = [[Kochi]] | ||
}} | |appointer_hos=[[President of India]] (on the recommendation of Union [[Government of India]])|civil_service=* [[All India Services]] | ||
* [[Civil Services of India#State Civil Services|State Civil Services]]|civil_service_head_title=Civil services (Part of the executive branch)|background_color=red}} | |||
[[Kerala]] is an Indian state, where federal [[legislative power]] is vested in the [[Unicameralism|unicameral]] [[Kerala Legislative Assembly]]. The multilateral system has, since 1956, been dominated by the several pre-poll and post-poll alliances. | [[Kerala]] is an Indian state, where federal [[legislative power]] is vested in the [[Unicameralism|unicameral]] [[Kerala Legislative Assembly]]. The multilateral system has, since 1956, been dominated by the several pre-poll and post-poll alliances. | ||
| Line 41: | Line 42: | ||
The judiciary of Kerala is independent of the [[Executive (government)|executive]] and the [[legislature]], while it is common for leading members of the executive (Kerala Council of Ministers) to be members of the legislature as well. The political system is laid out in the [[Constitution of India]] (1950). | The judiciary of Kerala is independent of the [[Executive (government)|executive]] and the [[legislature]], while it is common for leading members of the executive (Kerala Council of Ministers) to be members of the legislature as well. The political system is laid out in the [[Constitution of India]] (1950). | ||
[[Kerala Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]] has a membership of | [[Kerala Legislative Assembly|Legislative Assembly]] has a membership of 140, where all 140 are elected. Kerala has 20 seats in the [[Lok Sabha|Lok Sabha (Indian Lower House)]] and nine seats in the [[Rajya Sabha|Rajya Sabha (the Council of States)]]. Elections are also held to choose representatives to the [[Corporations, municipalities and taluks of Kerala|civic bodies]] at various levels within Kerala. | ||
== Political parties == | == Political parties == | ||
{{Main|Political parties in Kerala}} | |||
=== | === Alliances === | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
!Sl No | !Sl No | ||
! | !Alliance Name | ||
! | !Flag | ||
!Current Status | |||
|- | |- | ||
|1 | |1 | ||
|[[ | |[[Left Democratic Front]] (LDF) | ||
| | |[[File:Left Democratic Front (Kerala) Logo.svg|100px]] | ||
|{{yes2|Government}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
|2 | |2 | ||
|[[ | |[[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|United Democratic Front]] (UDF) | ||
| | |[[File:UDF logo.png|100px]] | ||
|{{No2|Opposition}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
|3 | |3 | ||
|[[ | |[[National Democratic Alliance]] ( NDA ) | ||
| | |[[File:National Democratic Alliance.svg|100px]] | ||
| None | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |} | ||
=== National parties === | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
!Sl No | |||
!Party name | |||
!Symbol | |||
!Alliance | |||
!Current Status | |||
|- | |||
|1 | |||
|[[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] | |[[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] | ||
| | |[[File:CPI(M) Election symbol.png|100px|class=skin-invert|alt=CPIM election symbol]] | ||
|[[Left Democratic Front|LDF]] | |||
|{{yes2|Government}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |2 | ||
|[[Indian National Congress]] | |[[Indian National Congress]] | ||
|Hand | |[[File:Hand INC.svg|100px]] | ||
|[[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|UDF]] | |||
|{{no2|Opposition}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |3 | ||
|[[ | |[[Bharatiya Janata Party]] | ||
| | |[[File:BJP Election Symbol.svg|100px|class=skin-invert|alt=BJP election symbol]] | ||
|[[National Democratic Alliance|NDA]] | |||
| None | |||
|} | |} | ||
=== Recognised State Parties === | === Recognised State Parties === | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
! | !Sr No | ||
!Party | !Party name | ||
!Symbol | !Symbol | ||
!Alliance | |||
|- | |- | ||
|1 | |1 | ||
|[[ | |[[Communist Party of India]] (CPI) | ||
| | |[[File:CPI symbol.svg|80px|class=skin-invert|alt=CPIM election symbol]] | ||
|rowspan=4|[[Left Democratic Front]] | |||
|- | |- | ||
|2 | |2 | ||
|[[ | |[[Kerala Congress (M)]] | ||
| | |[[File:Indian election symbol two leaves.svg|80px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
|3 | |3 | ||
|[[ | |[[Indian Socialist Janata Dal]] | ||
| | |[[File:Indian election symbol female farmer.svg|80px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
|4 | |4 | ||
|[[Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar)]] | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
|5 | |||
|[[Indian Union Muslim League]] | |||
|[[File:Indian Election Symbol Lader.svg|80px|class=skin-invert|alt=IUML election symbol]] | |||
|rowspan=2|[[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|United Democratic Front]] | |||
|- | |||
|6 | |||
|[[Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)|Revolutionary Socialist Party]] | |[[Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)|Revolutionary Socialist Party]] | ||
|Spade and Stoker | |[[File:Indian Election Symbol Spade and Stoker.png|80px|class=skin-invert|alt=RSP election symbol]] | ||
|- | |||
|} | |} | ||
== Electoral history == | == Electoral history == | ||
[[File:Kerala_Council_of_Ministers_1978_PK_Vasudevan_Nair.jpg|thumb| | {{Main|Elections in Kerala}} | ||
[[File:Kerala Council of Ministers 1957 EMS.jpg|thumb|right|420x420px|[[First Namboodiripad ministry|1st cabinet ministry]] of Kerala led by [[E. M. S. Namboodiripad]] (1957)]] | |||
[[File:Kerala_Council_of_Ministers_1978_PK_Vasudevan_Nair.jpg|thumb|300x300px|Kerala Council of Ministers under [[P. K. Vasudevan Nair]] (1978)]] | |||
Results for the [[Kerala Legislative Assembly]] (from 1957) have been: | Results for the [[Kerala Legislative Assembly]] (from 1957) have been: | ||
[http://www.keralaassembly.org/ (Source)] | [http://www.keralaassembly.org/ (Source)] | ||
{|class="wikitable sortable" | {|class="wikitable sortable"; text-align:center" | ||
! rowspan="2" |Mandate | ! rowspan="2" |Mandate | ||
! colspan=" | ! colspan="2" |Seats secured | ||
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Ruling C'''oalition(s)''' | ! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Ruling C'''oalition(s)''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
! style="color:{{Communist Party of India | ! style="color:{{party color|Communist Party of India}};"|'''CPI+''' | ||
! style="color:{{Indian National Congress | ! style="color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}};"|'''INC+''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[1957 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1957]] | |[[1957 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1957]] | ||
! style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Communist Party of India}}; color:white"|'''65'''<ref>{{Cite book|title=STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 1957 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF KERALA|last=|publisher=Election Commission of India|location=New Delhi|pages=7|url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/3746-kerala-1957/}}</ref> | |||
| 43<ref name="askh">DC Books, Kottayam, ''Kerala Charithram'', A. Shreedhara Menon, P.367-369</ref> | | 43<ref name="askh">DC Books, Kottayam, ''Kerala Charithram'', A. Shreedhara Menon, P.367-369</ref> | ||
| colspan="2" style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{Communist Party of India | | colspan="2" style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Communist Party of India}}; color:white" |CPI+ | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[1960 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1960]] | |[[1960 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1960]] | ||
| 29<ref name="askh"/> | | 29<ref name="askh"/> | ||
| style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{Indian National Congress | | style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}}; color:white"|'''95'''<ref name="askh"/> | ||
| colspan="2" style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{Indian National Congress | | colspan="2" style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}}; color:white" |INC+ | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
{|class="wikitable sortable" | {|class="wikitable sortable"; text-align:center" | ||
! rowspan="2" |Mandate | ! rowspan="2" |Mandate | ||
! colspan="2" |Seats secured | ! colspan="2" |Seats secured | ||
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Ruling C'''oalition(s)''' | ! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Ruling C'''oalition(s)''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
! style="color:{{Communist Party of India (Marxist) | ! style="color:{{party color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}};"|'''CPI(M)''' | ||
! style="color:{{Indian National Congress | ! style="color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}};"|'''INC+''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[1965 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1965]] | |[[1965 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1965]] | ||
| 40 | | 40 | ||
|36 | |36 | ||
| No | | No Government Formed | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[1967 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1967]] | |[[1967 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1967]] | ||
| style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{Communist Party of India (Marxist) | | style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}; color:white"|'''117''' | ||
| 9 | | 9 | ||
| style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{Communist Party of India (Marxist) | | style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}; color:white"|CPI(M)+ | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
{|class="wikitable sortable" | {|class="wikitable sortable"; text-align:center" | ||
! rowspan="2" |Mandate | ! rowspan="2" |Mandate | ||
! colspan=" | ! colspan="3" |Seats secured | ||
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Ruling C'''oalition(s)''' | ! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Ruling C'''oalition(s)''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
! style="color:{{Communist Party of India (Marxist) | ! style="color:{{party color|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}};"|'''CPI(M)+''' | ||
! style="color:{{Indian National Congress | ! style="color:{{party color|Communist Party of India}};"|'''CPI''' | ||
! style="color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}};"|'''INC''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[1970 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1970]] | |[[1970 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1970]] | ||
| 29<ref name="kla">{{Cite web|url=https://kerala.gov.in/history-of-kerala-legislature|title=History of Kerala Legislature}}</ref> | | 29<ref name="kla">{{Cite web|url=https://kerala.gov.in/history-of-kerala-legislature|title=History of Kerala Legislature|access-date=20 May 2021|archive-date=14 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814235820/https://kerala.gov.in/history-of-kerala-legislature|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
| style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{Indian National Congress | ! style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Communist Party of India}}; color:white"|'''16''' | ||
! style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}}; color:white"|'''30''' | |||
! style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Communist Party of India}}; color:white" |CPI+INC | |||
|- | |- | ||
|[[1977 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1977]] | |[[1977 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1977]] | ||
| 29<ref name="kla"/> | | 29<ref name="kla"/> | ||
! style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Communist Party of India}}; color:white"|'''23'''<ref name="kla"/> | |||
| style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{Indian National Congress | | style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Indian National Congress}}; color:white"|'''38''' | ||
! style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Communist Party of India}}; color:white" |CPI+INC | |||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
{|class="wikitable sortable" | {|class="wikitable sortable"; text-align:center" | ||
! rowspan="2" |Mandate | ! rowspan="2" |Mandate | ||
! colspan="3" |Seats secured | ! colspan="3" |Seats secured | ||
| Line 168: | Line 207: | ||
! rowspan="2" |Majority | ! rowspan="2" |Majority | ||
|- | |- | ||
!style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{Left Democratic Front (Kerala) | !style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white" | LDF!! style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white" | UDF!! Others | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[1980 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1980]] | |[[1980 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1980]] | ||
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{Left Democratic Front (Kerala) | |style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white"|'''93''' | ||
|46 | |46 | ||
|1 | |1 | ||
|style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{Left Democratic Front (Kerala) | |style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white" | LDF | ||
|style="color:{{Left Democratic Front (Kerala) | |style="color:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}};"|'''47''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[1982 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1982]] | |[[1982 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1982]] | ||
||63||style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{United Democratic Front (Kerala) | ||63||style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white|'''77'''|| 0 ||style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white" | UDF | ||
|style="color:{{United Democratic Front (Kerala) | |style="color:{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}};"|'''14''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[1987 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1987]] ||style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{Left Democratic Front (Kerala) | |[[1987 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1987]] ||style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white"|'''78'''|| 61||1 ||style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white" | LDF | ||
|style="color:{{Left Democratic Front (Kerala) | |style="color:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}};"|'''17''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[1991 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1991]] || 48 || style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{United Democratic Front (Kerala) | | [[1991 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1991]] || 48 || style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white" |'''90'''|| 2 || style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white" | UDF | ||
|style="color:{{United Democratic Front (Kerala) | |style="color:{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}};"|'''40''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[1996 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1996]] ||style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{Left Democratic Front (Kerala) | | [[1996 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|1996]] ||style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white"| '''80'''|| 59 || 1 ||style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white" | LDF | ||
|style="color:{{Left Democratic Front (Kerala) | |style="color:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}};"|'''21''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[2001 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|2001]] || 40 || style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{United Democratic Front (Kerala) | | [[2001 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|2001]] || 40 || style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white"|'''99'''|| 1 || style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white" | UDF | ||
|style="color:{{United Democratic Front (Kerala) | |style="color:{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}};"|'''59''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[2006 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|2006]] ||style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{Left Democratic Front (Kerala) | | [[2006 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|2006]] ||style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white"|'''98'''|| 42 || 0 ||style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white" | LDF | ||
|style="color:{{Left Democratic Front (Kerala) | |style="color:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}};"|'''56''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[2011 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|2011]] || 68 || style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{United Democratic Front (Kerala) | | [[2011 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|2011]] || 68 || style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white"|'''72'''|| 0 || style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white" | UDF | ||
|style="color:{{United Democratic Front (Kerala) | |style="color:{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}};"|'''04''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[2016 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|2016]] ||style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{Left Democratic Front (Kerala) | | [[2016 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|2016]] ||style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white" |'''91'''|| 47 || 2 ||style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white" | LDF | ||
|style="color:{{Left Democratic Front (Kerala) | |style="color:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}};"|'''44''' | ||
|- | |||
| [[2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|2021]] ||style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white"|'''99'''|| 41 ||0 ||style="width:15%;"Style="background-color:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}; color:white" | LDF | |||
|style="color:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}};"|'''58''' | |||
|} | |||
=== Current administrative structure by alliance === | |||
{| class="wikitable"; text-align:center" | |||
! colspan=5 |Current administrative structure by alliance in Kerala | |||
|- | |||
! National Constituencies | |||
! Total | |||
!LDF | |||
!UDF | |||
!Others | |||
|- | |||
| [[List of constituencies of the Lok Sabha|Lok Sabha constituencies]] | |||
!20 | |||
|1 | |||
|18 | |||
|1 | |||
|- | |||
|- | |||
! State Constituencies | |||
! Total | |||
!LDF | |||
!UDF | |||
!Others | |||
|- | |||
| [[List of constituencies of the Kerala Legislative Assembly|Legislative assembly constituencies]] | |||
!140 | |||
|98 | |||
|41 | |||
|0 | |||
|- | |||
! Local self-government body | |||
! Total | |||
! LDF | |||
! UDF | |||
! Others | |||
|- | |||
|[[List of municipal corporations in Kerala|Municipal Corporations]] | |||
!6 | |||
|4 | |||
|2 | |||
|0 | |||
|- | |||
|[[District Panchayat|District Panchayats]] | |||
! 14 | |||
| 11 | |||
| 3 | |||
| 0 | |||
|- | |||
|[[Municipalities of Kerala|Municipalities]] | |||
!87 | |||
|43 | |||
|41 | |||
|2 | |||
|- | |||
|[[Local government in Kerala|Block Panchayats]] | |||
!152 | |||
|90 | |||
|61 | |||
|0 | |||
|- | |||
|[[Local government in Kerala|Grama Panchayats]] | |||
!941 | |||
|549 | |||
|365 | |||
|27 | |||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
== Popular vote == | == Popular vote == | ||
[[File:E._M._S._Namboodiripad.jpg|thumb|183x183px|[[E. M. S. Namboodiripad]], [[Communist Party of India|CPI]] (first Chief Minister of Kerala, 1957- 59)]] | [[File:E._M._S._Namboodiripad.jpg|thumb|183x183px|[[E. M. S. Namboodiripad]], [[Communist Party of India|CPI]] (first Chief Minister of Kerala, 1957- 59)]] | ||
{| class="wikitable collapsible" | {| class="wikitable collapsible" | ||
! colspan="2" |1957 Assembly elections | ! colspan="2" |1957 Assembly elections | ||
| Line 231: | Line 336: | ||
|10.76 | |10.76 | ||
|[[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) | |[[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) | ||
| | |15.50 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)|Revolutionary Socialist Party]] (RSP) | |[[Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)|Revolutionary Socialist Party]] (RSP) | ||
| Line 251: | Line 356: | ||
== Ideologies == | == Ideologies == | ||
[[File:Pinarayi Vijayan 1.jpg|thumb|200x200px|[[Pinarayi Vijayan]], [[Chief minister of Kerala]]]] | [[File:Pinarayi Vijayan 1.jpg|thumb|200x200px|[[Pinarayi Vijayan]], [[Chief minister of Kerala]]]] | ||
=== Left-wing/center-left politics === | === Left-wing/center-left politics === | ||
The general socio-political thought and behavior of the Keralite population inclines strongly toward [[left-wing]] and [[center-left]] groups, as such, [[communist]] ([[Communist Party of India]], [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]]) parties have made strong inroads across the state for decades.<ref name=":0">[ | The general socio-political thought and behavior of the Keralite population inclines strongly toward [[left-wing]] and [[center-left]] groups, as such, [[communist]] ([[Communist Party of India]], [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]]) parties have made strong inroads across the state for decades.<ref name=":0">[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3693425.stm Snapshots - India's final voting day BBC News]</ref> In fact, Kerala is the first autonomous polity in Asia and only second in the world to have democratically elected a fully communist-led (Communist Party of India) government into power,<ref name=":0" /> with the first-ever being [[San Marino]], a [[microstate]] enclaved by Italy. | ||
Northern Kerala, particularly the districts of [[Kannur]] and [[Palakkad]], is generally considered the heartland of communist support. The districts of [[Kollam]] and [[Alappuzha]] also generally inclined towards left-wing or center-left parties, even though the [[United Democratic Front ( | Northern Kerala, particularly the districts of [[Kannur]] and [[Palakkad]], is generally considered the heartland of communist support. The districts of [[Kollam]] and [[Alappuzha]] also generally inclined towards left-wing or center-left parties, even though the [[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|United Democratic Front]] have won elections from the constituencies of these districts several times.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
Some parties like [[Communist Marxist Party]], [[Janathipathiya Samrakshana Samithy]] and the [[Revolutionary Marxist Party of India]] also represent left-wing politics in the state. | Some parties like [[Communist Marxist Party]], [[Janathipathiya Samrakshana Samithy]] and the [[Revolutionary Marxist Party of India]] also represent left-wing politics in the state. | ||
=== Congress politics === | === Congress politics === | ||
[[Indian National Congress]] leads the [[United Democratic Front ( | [[Indian National Congress]] leads the [[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|United Democratic Front]] pre-poll alliance in Kerala. The alliance was created by the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] (then known as [[Indira Gandhi|Congress-Indira]]) party leader [[K. Karunakaran]] in 1978.<ref>[http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/who-was-k-karunakaran-74555?trendingnow Who was K Karunakaran? – NDTV<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Since the 1980s, it has sustained itself as the front to take on the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|Communist Party of India Marxist]]-led [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|Left Democratic Front]]. | ||
The alliance first came into power in Kerala in 1981 under [[K. Karunakaran]]. It led the Kerala government in 1981 - 82 ([[K. Karunakaran|Karunakaran]]), 1982 - 87 ([[K. Karunakaran|Karunakaran]]), 1991 - 96 ([[K. Karunakaran|Karunakaran]] and [[A. K. Antony]]), 2001 - 06 ([[A. K. Antony|Antony]] and [[Oommen Chandy]]) and 2011 - 16 ([[Oommen Chandy|Chandy]]). | The alliance first came into power in Kerala in 1981 under [[K. Karunakaran]]. It led the Kerala government in 1981 - 82 ([[K. Karunakaran|Karunakaran]]), 1982 - 87 ([[K. Karunakaran|Karunakaran]]), 1991 - 96 ([[K. Karunakaran|Karunakaran]] and [[A. K. Antony]]), 2001 - 06 ([[A. K. Antony|Antony]] and [[Oommen Chandy]]) and 2011 - 16 ([[Oommen Chandy|Chandy]]). | ||
The party has strong bases in [[Ernakulam]] and [[Kottayam]] regions of central Kerala. | The party has strong bases in [[Ernakulam]] and [[Kottayam]] regions of central Kerala. | ||
The [[Nationalist Congress Party]] and [[Congress (Secular)|Congress (S)]] are | The [[Nationalist Congress Party- Sharadchandra Pawar]] and [[Congress (Secular)|Congress (S)]] are other parties which holds the Congress politics. Both of them were split from [[Indian National Congress]], and now form allies of [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|LDF]]. The [[Kerala Congress]] factions also have their origin in a split which occurred in Indian National Congress in the year 1964. [[Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran)|DIC(K)]] was another party formed by raising Congress politics in Kerala, but was later dissolved. | ||
==== Political underrepresentation of [[Ezhava]] ==== | |||
Despite constituting around 24% of [[Kerala]]’s population, the [[Ezhava]] community has been described as under represented in both the [[Left Democratic Front|LDF]] and the [[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|UDF]]. In the [[Left Democratic Front|LDF]] ministry, Ezhavas have held 5 ministerial positions, while the Nair community, which comprises about 12% of the state’s population, has held 7 ministerial posts. | |||
Within the [[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|UDF]], representation concerns have also been raised. There is no [[Other Backward Class|OBC]] representation in the top leadership of the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] in [[Kerala]] at present. Of the 14 District [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] Committees (DCCs) in [[Kerala]], only 4 have presidents from the Ezhava community. Among the state’s 14 [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] [[Members of Parliament|MPs]], only 2 belong to the community, while only 1 of the party’s 22 MLAs represents the Ezhavas. Additionally, none of the three newly appointed working presidents of the [[Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee|KPCC]] are from the community.<ref name="TNIE1">{{cite web |title=Congress faces backlash over caste imbalance in Kerala leadership revamp |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2025/Aug/01/congress-faces-backlash-over-caste-imbalance-in-kerala-leadership-revamp |publisher=The New Indian Express |access-date=2025-12-14}}</ref><ref name="KaumudiSurvey">{{cite web |title=UDF will not come to power if Ezhava community is ignored; AICC secret survey becomes warning to UDF |url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=1470904&u=udf-will-not-come-to-power-if-ezhava-community-is-ignored-aicc-secret-survey-becomes-warning-to-udf |publisher=Kerala Kaumudi |access-date=2025-12-14}}</ref><ref name="TNIE2">{{cite web |title=In vote-bank ‘theatre’, Ezhavas still in search of key role |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2025/Nov/28/in-vote-bank-theatre-ezhavas-still-in-search-of-key-role |publisher=The New Indian Express |access-date=2025-12-14}}</ref> | |||
=== Communitarian politics === | === Communitarian politics === | ||
[[Indian Union Muslim League]] is a major member of the [[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|United Democratic Front]]. Indian Union Muslim League first gained a ministry in Kerala Government as part of a [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|Communist Party of India Marxist]]-led alliance in the late 1960s. The party later switched fronts and formed an alliance with the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]]. It later became a chief constituent in a succession of [[Indian National Congress]]-lead ministries. | [[Indian Union Muslim League]] is a major member of the [[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|United Democratic Front]]. Indian Union Muslim League first gained a ministry in Kerala Government as part of a [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|Communist Party of India Marxist]]-led alliance in the late 1960s. The party later switched fronts and formed an alliance with the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]]. It later became a chief constituent in a succession of [[Indian National Congress]]-lead ministries. | ||
The party has strong bases in [[Malappuram District]] in central Kerala. The party is also strong in the northern belts of [[Kasaragod district]] and the southern parts of [[Kozhikode district]] in Northern Kerala. | The party has strong bases in [[Malappuram District]] in central Kerala. The party is also strong in the northern belts of [[Kasaragod district]] and the southern parts of [[Kozhikode district]] in Northern Kerala. | ||
[[Kerala Congress]], which has several factions in [[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|United Democratic Front]] and [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|Left Democratic Front]], has strong influence in central Kerala. The various Kerala Congress factions are primarily patronized by [[Saint Thomas Christians|Syrian Christian]] community mostly in | [[Kerala Congress]], which has several factions in [[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|United Democratic Front]] and [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|Left Democratic Front]], has strong influence in central Kerala. The various Kerala Congress factions are primarily patronized by [[Saint Thomas Christians|Syrian Christian]] community mostly in areas like [[Kottayam]], [[Idukki]], [[Pathanamthitta]] and [[Muvattupuzha]]. | ||
=== Right-wing politics === | === Right-wing politics === | ||
Right-wing politics in Kerala is represented by the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]. BJP | Right-wing politics in Kerala is represented by the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]. The BJP got their first seat in the Kerala legislative assembly in 2016. The BJP failed to win a seat in the 2021 elections. But won 1 seat in the 2024 elections. | ||
== Coalition politics == | == Coalition politics == | ||
| Line 285: | Line 396: | ||
* [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]]-led [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|Left Democratic Front (LDF)]] and | * [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]]-led [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|Left Democratic Front (LDF)]] and | ||
* [[Indian National Congress]]-led [[United Democratic Front ( | * [[Indian National Congress]]-led [[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|United Democratic Front (UDF)]] | ||
The two alliances have been alternatively voted to power in Kerala since 1980 (from the [[First E. K. Nayanar ministry]]). | The two alliances have been alternatively voted to power in Kerala since 1980 till 2021 (from the [[First E. K. Nayanar ministry]] and until [[First Pinarayi Vijayan ministry]]). | ||
The pre-poll political alliances of Kerala have stabilized strongly in such a manner that, with rare exceptions, most of the coalition partners stick their loyalty to the respective alliances ([[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|Left Democratic Front]] or [[United Democratic Front ( | The pre-poll political alliances of Kerala have stabilized strongly in such a manner that, with rare exceptions, most of the coalition partners stick their loyalty to the respective alliances ([[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|Left Democratic Front]] or [[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|United Democratic Front]]). As a result of this, ever since 1979, the power has been clearly alternating between the two alliances without any exceptions, until this spell was broken in the [[2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-02|title=Rewriting history: Pinarayi Vijayan breaks 4-decade-old political trend in Kerala|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/rewriting-history-pinarayi-vijayan-breaks-4-decade-old-political-trend-kerala-148169|access-date=2021-05-11|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref> | ||
However, till then the political scenario in Kerala (1957 - 1980) was characterized by continually shifting alliances, party mergers and splits, factionalism within the coalitions and within political parties, and the formation of a numerous splinter groups.<ref name="UN1">{{cite web|date=19 March 2007|title=India|url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,AUS_RRT,,IND,,4b6fe22b5,0.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130416005158/http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,AUS_RRT,,IND,,4b6fe22b5,0.html|archive-date=16 April 2013|publisher=Australia: Refugee Review Tribunal|via=archive.is|accessdate=11 August 2019}}</ref> | However, till then the political scenario in Kerala (1957 - 1980) was characterized by continually shifting alliances, party mergers and splits, factionalism within the coalitions and within political parties, and the formation of a numerous splinter groups.<ref name="UN1">{{cite web|date=19 March 2007|title=India|url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,AUS_RRT,,IND,,4b6fe22b5,0.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130416005158/http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,AUS_RRT,,IND,,4b6fe22b5,0.html|archive-date=16 April 2013|publisher=Australia: Refugee Review Tribunal|via=archive.is|accessdate=11 August 2019}}</ref> | ||
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, two main pre-poll political alliances were formed: the [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|Left Democratic Front]], led by the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] and [[Communist Party of India]] and the [[United Democratic Front ( | In the late 1970s and early 1980s, two main pre-poll political alliances were formed: the [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|Left Democratic Front]], led by the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] and [[Communist Party of India]] and the [[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|United Democratic Front]], led by the [[Indian National Congress]].<ref name="UN1" /> | ||
Since the early 1980s these two pre-poll political alliances have alternated in government with neither able to gain re-election for a second term. Clashes between supporters of the two coalitions have occurred periodically. Both have accused the other of corruption, promoting or condoning political violence, and "the general breakdown of law and order" during their periods in government.<ref name="UN1" /> | Since the early 1980s these two pre-poll political alliances have alternated in government with neither able to gain re-election for a second term. Clashes between supporters of the two coalitions have occurred periodically. Both have accused the other of corruption, promoting or condoning political violence, and "the general breakdown of law and order" during their periods in government.<ref name="UN1" /> | ||
| Line 381: | Line 492: | ||
== Student politics == | == Student politics == | ||
Student politics in Kerala is highly active and influential, unlike in many other Indian states where it has declined. Most student organizations are linked to major political parties and there are student political alliances as well, such as the [[UDSF|United Democratic Students Front]] (UDSF), which includes [[Kerala Students' Union|KSU]] and [[Muslim Students Federation (I. U. M. L.)|MSF]]. | |||
Below is the list of active students parties in [[Kerala]]: | |||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
|+ '''Student Political Parties in Kerala''' | |||
! Name of the Student Organization !! Year of Establishment !! Political Affiliation | |||
|- | |||
| [[Students' Federation of India]] (SFI) || 1970 || [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] – CPI(M) | |||
|- | |||
| [[Kerala Students Union]] (KSU) || 1957 || [[Indian National Congress]] – INC | |||
|- | |||
| [[Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad]] (ABVP) || 1949 (Nationally) || [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] – RSS / [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] – BJP | |||
|- | |||
| [[All India Students Federation]] (AISF) || 1936 (Nationally) || [[Communist Party of India]] – CPI | |||
|- | |||
| [[Muslim Students Federation (I. U. M. L.)|Muslim Students Federation]] (MSF) || 1937 || [[Indian Union Muslim League]] – IUML | |||
|- | |||
| [[Fraternity Movement]] || 2011 || [[Welfare Party of India]] / | |||
|} | |||
== 2021 Assembly elections == | == 2021 Assembly elections == | ||
{| class="wikitable collapsible" | {| class="wikitable collapsible" | ||
! LDF | ! LDF | ||
| Line 395: | Line 520: | ||
! Seats | ! Seats | ||
|- | |- | ||
|CPI(M) | |[[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI(M)]] | ||
|62 | |62 | ||
|INC | |[[Indian National Congress|INC]] | ||
|21 | |21 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|CPI | |[[Communist Party of India|CPI]] | ||
|17 | |17 | ||
|IUML | |[[Indian Union Muslim League|IUML]] | ||
|15 | |15 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Line 460: | Line 585: | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="background:#ffffff;" |'''LDF''' | | style="background:#ffffff;" |'''[[Left Democratic Front|LDF]]''' | ||
| style="background:#ffffff; color:black;" |'''99''' | | style="background:#ffffff; color:black;" |'''99''' | ||
| style="background:#ffffff;" |'''UDF''' | | style="background:#ffffff;" |'''[[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|UDF]]''' | ||
| style="background:#ffffff; color:black;" |'''41''' | | style="background:#ffffff; color:black;" |'''41''' | ||
|} | |} | ||
| Line 475: | Line 600: | ||
!Won | !Won | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Communist Party of India Marxist (CPIM) | |[[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|Communist Party of India Marxist (CPIM)]] | ||
|5,288,502 | |5,288,502 | ||
|25.4 | |25.4 | ||
| Line 481: | Line 606: | ||
|62 | |62 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Indian National Congress (INC) | |[[Indian National Congress|Indian National Congress (INC)]] | ||
|5,233,429 | |5,233,429 | ||
|25.1 | |25.1 | ||
| Line 487: | Line 612: | ||
|21 | |21 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | |[[Bharatiya Janata Party|Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)]] | ||
|2,354,468 | |2,354,468 | ||
|11.3 | |11.3 | ||
| Line 493: | Line 618: | ||
|0 | |0 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) | |[[Indian Union Muslim League|Indian Union Muslim League (IUML)]] | ||
|1,723,593 | |1,723,593 | ||
|8.3 | |8.3 | ||
| Line 499: | Line 624: | ||
|15 | |15 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Communist Party of India (CPI) | |[[Communist Party of India|Communist Party of India (CPI)]] | ||
|1,579,235 | |1,579,235 | ||
|7.6 | |7.6 | ||
| Line 505: | Line 630: | ||
|17 | |17 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Kerala Congress (Mani) (KCM) | |[[Kerala Congress (M)|Kerala Congress (Mani) (KCM)]] | ||
|684,363 | |684,363 | ||
|3.3 | |3.3 | ||
| Line 511: | Line 636: | ||
|5 | |5 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Kerala Congress (KEC) | |[[Kerala Congress (Secular)|Kerala Congress (KEC)]] | ||
|554,115 | |554,115 | ||
|2.7 | |2.7 | ||
| Line 519: | Line 644: | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Political parties in Kerala]] | {{Portal|India|Politics}} | ||
* [[Political parties in Kerala]] | |||
* [[Communist Party of India (Marxist), Kerala]] | |||
* [[Communism in India]] | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
| Line 526: | Line 654: | ||
==Further reading== | ==Further reading== | ||
{{refbegin}} | {{refbegin}} | ||
* {{Citation|title=Chief Ministers, Ministers, and Leaders of | * {{Citation|title=Chief Ministers, Ministers, and Leaders of Opposition of Kerala|last=|publisher=Secratriat of [[Kerala Legislative Assembly|Kerala Legislature]]|year=2018|location=[[Thiruvananthapuram]]|url=http://www.niyamasabha.org/codes/14kla/chief%20ministers,%20ministers,%20leaders%20of%20opposition.pdf}} | ||
* {{Cite book|title=Mathrubhumi Yearbook Plus - 2019 | * {{Cite book|title=Mathrubhumi Yearbook Plus - 2019|publisher=P. V. Chandran, Managing Editor, Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Company Limited, Kozhikode|year=2018|location=Kozhikode|last=Chandran |first=VP |edition=Malayalam }} | ||
* {{cite book|author=Menon, A. Sreedhara |title=A Survey of Kerala History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FVsw35oEBv4C|year=2007|publisher=DC Books|isbn=9788126415786}} | * {{cite book|author=Menon, A. Sreedhara |title=A Survey of Kerala History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FVsw35oEBv4C|year=2007|publisher=DC Books|isbn=9788126415786}} | ||
{{refend}} | {{refend}} | ||
| Line 536: | Line 664: | ||
{{Kerala}} | {{Kerala}} | ||
{{Kerala topics}} | {{Kerala topics}} | ||
{{Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}} | |||
{{United Democratic Front (Kerala)}} | {{United Democratic Front (Kerala)}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Politics Of Kerala}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Politics Of Kerala}} | ||
[[Category:Politics of Kerala]] | [[Category:Politics of Kerala]] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:59, 25 March 2026
 | |
| Polity type | Democratic, Parliamentary system |
|---|---|
| Constitution | Constitution of India |
| Formation | 1950 |
| Legislative branch | |
| Name | Kerala Legislative Assembly |
| Type | Unicameral |
| Meeting place | Assembly Building |
| Presiding officer | A. N. Shamseer, Speaker |
| Executive branch | |
| Head of State | |
| Title | Governor |
| Currently | Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar |
| Appointer | President of India (on the recommendation of Union Government of India) |
| Head of Government | |
| Title | Chief Minister |
| Currently | Pinarayi Vijayan |
| Appointer | Governor |
| Cabinet | |
| Name | Kerala Council of Ministers |
| Current cabinet | Second Vijayan ministry |
| Leader | Chief Minister |
| Appointer | Governor |
| Headquarters | Kerala Government Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Ministries | 44 |
| Judicial branch | |
| Name | Judiciary of India |
| Kerala High Court | |
| Chief judge | Nitin Madhukar Jamdar |
| Seat | Kochi |
Kerala is an Indian state, where federal legislative power is vested in the unicameral Kerala Legislative Assembly. The multilateral system has, since 1956, been dominated by the several pre-poll and post-poll alliances.
The judiciary of Kerala is independent of the executive and the legislature, while it is common for leading members of the executive (Kerala Council of Ministers) to be members of the legislature as well. The political system is laid out in the Constitution of India (1950).
Legislative Assembly has a membership of 140, where all 140 are elected. Kerala has 20 seats in the Lok Sabha (Indian Lower House) and nine seats in the Rajya Sabha (the Council of States). Elections are also held to choose representatives to the civic bodies at various levels within Kerala.
Political parties[edit | edit source]
Alliances[edit | edit source]
| Sl No | Alliance Name | Flag | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Left Democratic Front (LDF) | _Logo.svg){kind=logo}
|
Government |
| 2 | United Democratic Front (UDF) | 
|
Opposition |
| 3 | National Democratic Alliance ( NDA ) | 
|
None |
National parties[edit | edit source]
| Sl No | Party name | Symbol | Alliance | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communist Party of India (Marxist) | _Election_symbol.png)
|
LDF | Government |
| 2 | Indian National Congress | 
|
UDF | Opposition |
| 3 | Bharatiya Janata Party | 
|
NDA | None |
Recognised State Parties[edit | edit source]
| Sr No | Party name | Symbol | Alliance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communist Party of India (CPI) | 
|
Left Democratic Front |
| 2 | Kerala Congress (M) | 
| |
| 3 | Indian Socialist Janata Dal | 
| |
| 4 | Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) | ||
| 5 | Indian Union Muslim League | 
|
United Democratic Front |
| 6 | Revolutionary Socialist Party | 
|
Electoral history[edit | edit source]
Results for the Kerala Legislative Assembly (from 1957) have been:
| Mandate | Seats secured | Ruling Coalition(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPI+ | INC+ | |||
| 1957 | 65[1] | 43[2] | CPI+ | |
| 1960 | 29[2] | 95[2] | INC+ | |
| Mandate | Seats secured | Ruling Coalition(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPI(M) | INC+ | |||
| 1965 | 40 | 36 | No Government Formed | |
| 1967 | 117 | 9 | CPI(M)+ | |
| Mandate | Seats secured | Ruling Coalition(s) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPI(M)+ | CPI | INC | |||
| 1970 | 29[3] | 16 | 30 | CPI+INC | |
| 1977 | 29[3] | 23[3] | 38 | CPI+INC | |
| Mandate | Seats secured | Ruling Coalition | Majority | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LDF | UDF | Others | |||
| 1980 | 93 | 46 | 1 | LDF | 47 |
| 1982 | 63 | 77 | 0 | UDF | 14 |
| 1987 | 78 | 61 | 1 | LDF | 17 |
| 1991 | 48 | 90 | 2 | UDF | 40 |
| 1996 | 80 | 59 | 1 | LDF | 21 |
| 2001 | 40 | 99 | 1 | UDF | 59 |
| 2006 | 98 | 42 | 0 | LDF | 56 |
| 2011 | 68 | 72 | 0 | UDF | 04 |
| 2016 | 91 | 47 | 2 | LDF | 44 |
| 2021 | 99 | 41 | 0 | LDF | 58 |
Current administrative structure by alliance[edit | edit source]
| Current administrative structure by alliance in Kerala | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Constituencies | Total | LDF | UDF | Others |
| Lok Sabha constituencies | 20 | 1 | 18 | 1 |
| State Constituencies | Total | LDF | UDF | Others |
| Legislative assembly constituencies | 140 | 98 | 41 | 0 |
| Local self-government body | Total | LDF | UDF | Others |
| Municipal Corporations | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| District Panchayats | 14 | 11 | 3 | 0 |
| Municipalities | 87 | 43 | 41 | 2 |
| Block Panchayats | 152 | 90 | 61 | 0 |
| Grama Panchayats | 941 | 549 | 365 | 27 |
Popular vote[edit | edit source]
| 1957 Assembly elections | 2021 Assembly elections | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Parties | Popular vote % | Parties | Popular vote % |
| Indian National Congress (INC) | 37.84 | Communist Party of India Marxist (CPIM) | 25.4 |
| Communist Party of India (CPI) | 35.28 | Indian National Congress (INC) | 25.1 |
| Praja Socialist Party (PSP) | 10.76 | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 15.50 |
| Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) | 3.22 | Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) | 8.3 |
| Communist Party of India (CPI) | 7.6 | ||
| Kerala Congress (Mani) (KCM) | 3.3 | ||
| Kerala Congress (KEC) | 2.7 | ||
Ideologies[edit | edit source]
Left-wing/center-left politics[edit | edit source]
The general socio-political thought and behavior of the Keralite population inclines strongly toward left-wing and center-left groups, as such, communist (Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist)) parties have made strong inroads across the state for decades.[4] In fact, Kerala is the first autonomous polity in Asia and only second in the world to have democratically elected a fully communist-led (Communist Party of India) government into power,[4] with the first-ever being San Marino, a microstate enclaved by Italy.
Northern Kerala, particularly the districts of Kannur and Palakkad, is generally considered the heartland of communist support. The districts of Kollam and Alappuzha also generally inclined towards left-wing or center-left parties, even though the United Democratic Front have won elections from the constituencies of these districts several times.[4]
Some parties like Communist Marxist Party, Janathipathiya Samrakshana Samithy and the Revolutionary Marxist Party of India also represent left-wing politics in the state.
Congress politics[edit | edit source]
Indian National Congress leads the United Democratic Front pre-poll alliance in Kerala. The alliance was created by the Congress (then known as Congress-Indira) party leader K. Karunakaran in 1978.[5] Since the 1980s, it has sustained itself as the front to take on the Communist Party of India Marxist-led Left Democratic Front.
The alliance first came into power in Kerala in 1981 under K. Karunakaran. It led the Kerala government in 1981 - 82 (Karunakaran), 1982 - 87 (Karunakaran), 1991 - 96 (Karunakaran and A. K. Antony), 2001 - 06 (Antony and Oommen Chandy) and 2011 - 16 (Chandy).
The party has strong bases in Ernakulam and Kottayam regions of central Kerala.
The Nationalist Congress Party- Sharadchandra Pawar and Congress (S) are other parties which holds the Congress politics. Both of them were split from Indian National Congress, and now form allies of LDF. The Kerala Congress factions also have their origin in a split which occurred in Indian National Congress in the year 1964. DIC(K) was another party formed by raising Congress politics in Kerala, but was later dissolved.
Political underrepresentation of Ezhava[edit | edit source]
Despite constituting around 24% of Kerala’s population, the Ezhava community has been described as under represented in both the LDF and the UDF. In the LDF ministry, Ezhavas have held 5 ministerial positions, while the Nair community, which comprises about 12% of the state’s population, has held 7 ministerial posts. Within the UDF, representation concerns have also been raised. There is no OBC representation in the top leadership of the Congress in Kerala at present. Of the 14 District Congress Committees (DCCs) in Kerala, only 4 have presidents from the Ezhava community. Among the state’s 14 Congress MPs, only 2 belong to the community, while only 1 of the party’s 22 MLAs represents the Ezhavas. Additionally, none of the three newly appointed working presidents of the KPCC are from the community.[6][7][8]
Communitarian politics[edit | edit source]
Indian Union Muslim League is a major member of the United Democratic Front. Indian Union Muslim League first gained a ministry in Kerala Government as part of a Communist Party of India Marxist-led alliance in the late 1960s. The party later switched fronts and formed an alliance with the Congress. It later became a chief constituent in a succession of Indian National Congress-lead ministries.
The party has strong bases in Malappuram District in central Kerala. The party is also strong in the northern belts of Kasaragod district and the southern parts of Kozhikode district in Northern Kerala.
Kerala Congress, which has several factions in United Democratic Front and Left Democratic Front, has strong influence in central Kerala. The various Kerala Congress factions are primarily patronized by Syrian Christian community mostly in areas like Kottayam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Muvattupuzha.
Right-wing politics[edit | edit source]
Right-wing politics in Kerala is represented by the Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP got their first seat in the Kerala legislative assembly in 2016. The BJP failed to win a seat in the 2021 elections. But won 1 seat in the 2024 elections.
Coalition politics[edit | edit source]
.jpg)
The current politics in Kerala is largely dominated by two pre-poll alliances
- Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and
- Indian National Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF)
The two alliances have been alternatively voted to power in Kerala since 1980 till 2021 (from the First E. K. Nayanar ministry and until First Pinarayi Vijayan ministry).
The pre-poll political alliances of Kerala have stabilized strongly in such a manner that, with rare exceptions, most of the coalition partners stick their loyalty to the respective alliances (Left Democratic Front or United Democratic Front). As a result of this, ever since 1979, the power has been clearly alternating between the two alliances without any exceptions, until this spell was broken in the 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election.[9]
However, till then the political scenario in Kerala (1957 - 1980) was characterized by continually shifting alliances, party mergers and splits, factionalism within the coalitions and within political parties, and the formation of a numerous splinter groups.[10] In the late 1970s and early 1980s, two main pre-poll political alliances were formed: the Left Democratic Front, led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India and the United Democratic Front, led by the Indian National Congress.[10]
Since the early 1980s these two pre-poll political alliances have alternated in government with neither able to gain re-election for a second term. Clashes between supporters of the two coalitions have occurred periodically. Both have accused the other of corruption, promoting or condoning political violence, and "the general breakdown of law and order" during their periods in government.[10]
| Mandate | Ministry
No. |
Ruling Coalition
Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 23 | LDF |
| 2016 | 22 | LDF |
| 2011 | 21 | UDF |
| 2006 | 20 | LDF |
| 2001 | 19 | UDF |
| 18 | ||
| 1996 | 17 | LDF |
| 1991 | 16 | UDF |
| 15 | ||
| 1987 | 14 | LDF |
| 1982 | 13 | UDF |
| 1980 | 12 | |
| 11 | LDF | |
| 1977 | 10 | — |
| 9 | ||
| 8 | ||
| 7 | ||
| 1970 | 6 | |
| 1967 | 5 | |
| 4 | ||
| 1965 | No ministry formed | |
| 1960 | 3 | — |
| 2 | ||
| 1957 | 1 |
Student politics[edit | edit source]
Student politics in Kerala is highly active and influential, unlike in many other Indian states where it has declined. Most student organizations are linked to major political parties and there are student political alliances as well, such as the United Democratic Students Front (UDSF), which includes KSU and MSF.
Below is the list of active students parties in Kerala:
| Name of the Student Organization | Year of Establishment | Political Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Students' Federation of India (SFI) | 1970 | Communist Party of India (Marxist) – CPI(M) |
| Kerala Students Union (KSU) | 1957 | Indian National Congress – INC |
| Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) | 1949 (Nationally) | Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh – RSS / Bharatiya Janata Party – BJP |
| All India Students Federation (AISF) | 1936 (Nationally) | Communist Party of India – CPI |
| Muslim Students Federation (MSF) | 1937 | Indian Union Muslim League – IUML |
| Fraternity Movement | 2011 | Welfare Party of India / |
2021 Assembly elections[edit | edit source]
| LDF | Seats | UDF | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPI(M) | 62 | INC | 21 |
| CPI | 17 | IUML | 15 |
| LDF Independent | 5 | KEC | 2 |
| KC(M) | 5 | KC(J) | 1 |
| JD(S) | 2 | RMPI | 1 |
| NCP | 2 | UDF Independent | 1 |
| C(S) | 1 | RSP | 0 |
| KC(B) | 1 | CMP | 0 |
| NSC | 1 | ||
| INL | 1 | ||
| JKC | 1 | ||
| LJD | 1 | ||
| INL | 0 | ||
| LDF | 99 | UDF | 41 |
| Parties | Popular vote | Seats | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Candidates | Won | |
| Communist Party of India Marxist (CPIM) | 5,288,502 | 25.4 | 77 | 62 |
| Indian National Congress (INC) | 5,233,429 | 25.1 | 93 | 21 |
| Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 2,354,468 | 11.3 | 113 | 0 |
| Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) | 1,723,593 | 8.3 | 25 | 15 |
| Communist Party of India (CPI) | 1,579,235 | 7.6 | 23 | 17 |
| Kerala Congress (Mani) (KCM) | 684,363 | 3.3 | 12 | 5 |
| Kerala Congress (KEC) | 554,115 | 2.7 | 10 | 2 |
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 1957 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF KERALA. New Delhi: Election Commission of India. p. 7.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 DC Books, Kottayam, Kerala Charithram, A. Shreedhara Menon, P.367-369
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "History of Kerala Legislature". Archived from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Snapshots - India's final voting day BBC News
- ↑ Who was K Karunakaran? – NDTV
- ↑ "Congress faces backlash over caste imbalance in Kerala leadership revamp". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
- ↑ "UDF will not come to power if Ezhava community is ignored; AICC secret survey becomes warning to UDF". Kerala Kaumudi. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
- ↑ "In vote-bank 'theatre', Ezhavas still in search of key role". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
- ↑ "Rewriting history: Pinarayi Vijayan breaks 4-decade-old political trend in Kerala". The News Minute. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "India". Australia: Refugee Review Tribunal. 19 March 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2019 – via archive.is.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
Further reading[edit | edit source]
- Chief Ministers, Ministers, and Leaders of Opposition of Kerala (PDF), Thiruvananthapuram: Secratriat of Kerala Legislature, 2018
- Chandran, VP (2018). Mathrubhumi Yearbook Plus - 2019 (Malayalam ed.). Kozhikode: P. V. Chandran, Managing Editor, Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Company Limited, Kozhikode.
- Menon, A. Sreedhara (2007). A Survey of Kerala History. DC Books. ISBN 9788126415786.
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