Shashi Tharoor Hails BJP's Win in Thiruvananthapuram as 'Beauty of Democracy'

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday responded to the Kerala local body election results by calling them a reaffirmation of democratic values, even as his own constituency of Thiruvananthapuram delivered a landmark outcome for the BJP.

Tharoor praised the overall mandate, welcomed the United Democratic Front's strong showing across the state, and acknowledged the significance of the BJP's breakthrough in the state capital.

Tharoor Calls Results a Celebration of Democracy

Reacting to the results on X, formerly Twitter, Tharoor said the verdict reflected the vibrancy of Kerala's democratic spirit and sent a clear political message ahead of the next Assembly elections.

"What a day of amazing results in the Kerala local self-government elections! The mandate is clear, and the democratic spirit of the state shines through," Tharoor wrote.

He credited the Congress-led UDF's performance to sustained organisational effort, a strong campaign narrative and prevailing anti-incumbency sentiment, noting that the alliance had improved significantly compared to the 2020 local body polls.

UDF Gains Momentum Across Kerala

While Thiruvananthapuram grabbed headlines, Tharoor highlighted the broader statewide picture, where the UDF emerged ahead in the overall tally. According to trends, the UDF was leading in 7,869 wards across Kerala, signalling renewed confidence in the alliance.

The CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front, which controls the state government, trailed with leads in 6,505 wards, marking a notable setback in the local body elections.

BJP's Historic Breakthrough in Thiruvananthapuram

Tharoor also congratulated the BJP for its unprecedented success in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, a region long considered his political stronghold.

"I also want to acknowledge the historic performance of the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram, and offer humble congratulations on their significant victory in the city Corporation - a strong showing that marks a notable shift in the capital's political landscape. I campaigned for a change from 45 years of LDF misrule, but the voters have ultimately rewarded another party that also sought a clear change in governance.

That is the beauty of democracy. The people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in my constituency ," Tharoor added.

The BJP emerged as the single-largest party in the 101-member Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, winning 50 wards and falling just one short of the majority mark. The LDF managed 29 seats, the UDF secured 19, while two seats went to Independents. Polling in one ward was cancelled following the death of a candidate last week.

Celebrations and Reactions on the Ground

As counting began at 8 am on Saturday, December 13, scenes of celebration were reported from several parts of the state. Visuals from outside Maharaja's College in Kochi showed UDF workers raising slogans of "UDF Zindabad," waving party flags and dancing to drumbeats, reflecting optimism within the Congress-led alliance despite mixed results in key urban centres.