The trouble began in the evening when UDF supporters took out a victory march in Kunnothparamba grama panchayat.
Published Dec 14, 2025 | 9:32 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 14, 2025 | 9:50 AM
People were seen wielding machetes.
Synopsis: Clashes erupted in Panoor in the Kannur district in Kerala after the local body election results were announced. The trouble began in the evening when UDF supporters took out a victory march in Kunnothparamba grama panchayat.
Clashes erupted in Panoor in the Kannur district in Kerala after the local body election results were announced on Saturday, 13 December. The trouble began in the evening when UDF supporters took out a victory march in Kunnothparamba grama panchayat.
The procession reportedly came under attack, with stones and explosive materials thrown, allegedly by LDF workers. In a separate incident, masked youngsters armed with weapons allegedly targeted the residence of a UDF worker.
While no serious injuries were reported, the UDF claimed that several other homes of its supporters and party offices were also attacked and damaged during the violence.
In another incident, a youngster was killed when a scooter exploded during victory celebrations after the local body elections at Marathumpadi in the Kurumboil–Vayalada area of Balussery in Kozhikode. The deceased has been identified as Sandeep, a native of Vattoli.
Another person sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment.
The incident occurred while supporters were celebrating the victory of UDF candidate Devanandan, who won Ward 2 of Panangad Panchayat.
The body has been shifted to Kozhikode Medical College. Fire and Rescue Services and Balussery police reached the spot, and an investigation is underway.
In the local body polls, the Congress-led UDF emerged with a decisive edge over the CPI(M)-led across district and block panchayats, municipalities, corporations and grama panchayats, while the BJP-led NDA scripted a headline-grabbing breakthrough in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
The outcome of the local body polls has dealt a blow to the LDF’s hopes of scripting history by returning to power for a third consecutive term.
The UDF has registered clear gains from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram, reclaiming many areas where the LDF had swept in the previous election. The BJP-led NDA, meanwhile, has also emerged as a more visible and assertive presence.
Out of a total of 1,200 local bodies in Kerala — 941 grama panchayats, 152 block panchayats, 14 district panchayats, 87 municipalities, and six corporations — the UDF secured control over 649 local bodies, giving it a clear numerical edge.
The UDF’s strongest performance came at the grama panchayat level, where it won 505 out of 941 bodies. It also took control of 79 block panchayats and emerged victorious in seven of the 14 district panchayats, indicating rural and semi-urban support. In urban local bodies, the UDF won 54 municipalities and four corporations, consolidating its position in towns and major cities.
The LDF, which has been in power in the state for nearly a decade, retained control of 439 local bodies, including 340 grama panchayats and 63 block panchayats. Similar to the UDF, the LDF also won seven district panchayats, reflecting a near-even split at the apex tier of local governance. However, the Left fell behind in urban areas, managing to win only 28 municipalities and one corporation.
Although the NDA’s footprint was expanded, it remained limited, with victories in just 29 local bodies. It secured 26 grama panchayats, two municipalities, and one corporation, while failing to win any block or district panchayats. Despite isolated gains, the alliance continues to increase vote share at the local level, triggering concerns among LDF and UDF ahead of the Assembly polls.
Other parties won six grama panchayaths. At Eratupetta Municipality in Kottayam, independents sprang a surprise as they emerged as the single largest group.
(With inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman and Dileep V Kumar.)
