The United Democratic Front (UDF) scored its strongest-ever win in Malappuram's civic body elections. The UDF defeated the Left Democratic Front (LDF) across municipalities, grama panchayats, block panchayats, and the district panchayat. For the first time, the 33-member Malappuram District Panchayat has no LDF members. The UDF won 11 of 12 municipalities, 87 of 94 grama panchayats, 14 of 15 block panchayats, and all 33 district divisions. The LDF retained only the Ponnani municipality and a few grama panchayats: Niramaruthur, Elamkulam, Vazhayur, and Veliyamkode. Analysts called it the LDF’s most humiliating defeat in recent memory. UDF wrested Perinthalmanna and Nilambur municipalities from LDF, while holding Kondotty, Malappuram, Manjeri, and other areas. Perinthalmanna slipped from the LDF after 30 years in a tight battle. In its 37-member council, UDF won 15 seats, LDF 14, and Independents 8 — most Independents backed by UDF. In panchayats, UDF swept the board. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) had a strong showing but lost Ponmundam panchayat to Janakeeya Munnani, an anti-League coalition. LDF won majorities only in Elamkulam, Niramarathur, Veliyamkode, and Vazhayur panchayats. Neither side secured majorities in Pulamanthole and Edappal panchayats. Ponnani block panchayat is the only one favoring LDF, which won 7 of 14 seats with one Independent support. LDF used a strategy of fielding Independents and asking voters to cast just one vote for their candidate, hoping to win influence. This plan failed as UDF highlighted LDF’s state government faults. Anti-incumbency sentiment was strong, pushing voters away from LDF in Malappuram.