After serving 25 years as the MLA for Idukki, Water Resources Minister and Kerala Congress (M) leader Roshy Augustine has lost his seat. The traditional agrarian hub returned to the UDF camp after a five-year gap, ending Mr Augustine’s bid for a sixth consecutive term.

Before the election was announced, the UDF district leadership demanded to take back the seat from the Kerala Congress (Joseph faction) to field a Congress candidate under the ‘Hand’ symbol. Following lengthy discussions, the UDF fielded leader Roy K. Paulose. At the time of the handover, Congress leaders predicted that traditional party votes would return to the UDF fold—a prediction that proved accurate.