The defeat of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in all five Assembly constituencies in Idukki signals a major shift in the electoral dynamics of the district’s plantation sector. Of these, three constituencies — Udumbanchola, Devikulam, and Peerumade — are considered hubs for plantation workers and have traditionally been Left strongholds. The front lost all three in this election.

The CPI(M) had held the Udumbanchola constituency for the last 25 years and Devikulam for the last 20 years. In Peerumade, the CPI had maintained the seat for 20 years. In a dramatic reversal, the United Democratic Front (UDF) wrested the seats from the LDF. In Udumbanchola, although CPI(M) veteran M.M. Mani held the seat for the last decade, the party’s candidate K.K. Jayachandran (who previously held the seat for 15 years) was defeated on Monday.