Sat Dec 27 17:50:05 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:

Summary:

Elections for president and vice-president positions in district, block, and grama panchayats were held across Kerala on Saturday, December 27th, 2025. The UDF and LDF each secured control of seven district panchayats. While the UDF won more grama and block panchayats overall, many panchayats saw no clear majority, leading to reliance on smaller parties and independent councilors for support. In some cases, a draw of lots determined the winners. The Congress party has warned its members against accepting support from certain political parties.

News Article:

Kerala Local Elections See Divided Results as UDF and LDF Tie for District Control

Thiruvananthapuram, India – December 28, 2025 – Elections for president and vice-president roles in local governing bodies across Kerala concluded Saturday, revealing a complex political landscape with neither the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) nor the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) achieving a clear statewide victory.

Both UDF and LDF secured control of seven district panchayats each, electing their respective candidates to the top positions. Prominent victories included V. Priyadarshini (LDF) being elected president of the Thiruvananthapuram district panchayat, and K.G. Radhakrishnan (UDF) securing the presidency of the Ernakulam district panchayat.

However, the overall picture remains fragmented. While the UDF emerged as the dominant force in grama and block panchayats, winning 505 and 79 respectively, the LDF secured 340 grama panchayats and 63 block panchayats. The BJP-led NDA managed only 25 grama panchayats and failed to gain control of any block or district panchayat.

Significantly, 64 grama panchayats and 10 block panchayats resulted in hung councils, forcing the major alliances to seek support from smaller parties, including the Social Democratic Party of India, the Welfare Party, and Twenty20, as well as independent councilors. This has led to some unconventional alliances and outcomes.

In several instances where no party could secure a majority, a draw of lots was implemented to determine the president and vice-president positions.

Adding to the complexity, the Congress party has issued a stern warning to its local leaders, stating that any president or vice-president elected with the support of parties like the SDPI, CPI(M) or BJP must resign from their position.

The results highlight the shifting political dynamics within Kerala and the increasing influence of smaller parties and independent candidates at the local level. Observers suggest that the outcome will likely lead to a period of intense negotiation and political maneuvering as various factions attempt to consolidate their power in the coming months.

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