Idukki district, known previously as a Congress stronghold before 2020, has swung back to the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the recent local elections. The UDF won large margins in Thodupuzha and Kattappana municipalities, the district panchayat, and most block and grama panchayats. UDF district chairperson Joy Vettikkuzhi said this win mirrors their strong 2010 performance when they secured all 14 district panchayat seats. This time, UDF won 20 seats in Kattappana municipality, and LDF got 12. In Thodupuzha municipality, UDF bagged 19 seats, LDF 3, and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by BJP gained 9 seats, showing growing influence there. In the district panchayat, UDF took 14 out of 17 seats, LDF won 3. The Idukki block panchayat saw UDF winning 7 of 8 seats. Joy Vettikkuzhi highlighted the UDF's dominance in 36 out of 52 grama panchayats, adding, "This victory shows that the people of Idukki trust us. It also proves that the Kerala Congress (M) does not have much influence here." He noted UDF's control in eight grama panchayats within the Idukki Assembly segment, represented by Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine. The NDA underperformed outside Thodupuzha. It won no seats in Kattappana municipality, district panchayat, and block panchayats, and only a few in grama panchayats. In Edamalakkudy, Kerala’s first tribal panchayat, BJP lost two of the five seats it held in 2020 while LDF took charge. Kerala Congress (M), which helped LDF in 2020, failed to replicate success this year. Tamil Nadu parties AIADMK, DMK, and VCK fielded candidates aiming to attract Tamil-origin plantation workers but did not win any seats. In the 2020 election, LDF had won 28 of 52 panchayats, UDF 22, and BJP 1. UDF also held Kattappana and Thodupuzha municipalities then. Initially, LDF controlled Thodupuzha with support from a Congress rebel but lost it to UDF after a no-confidence motion. This recent election marks UDF’s strong comeback in Idukki district.