Shashi Tharoor said high voter turnout in the Kerala assembly elections suggests a positive outcome for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).
The results are significant because they may end a decade of rule by the Left Democratic Front (LDF), signaling a shift in the public mood toward the UDF.
Tharoor cast his vote in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, May 2, 2026 [3]. He said that the high participation of voters reflects a desire for change. By 5 p.m. on voting day, voter turnout was recorded at 75.01% [1].
"The high voter turnout augurs well for the Congress-led UDF," Tharoor said [2].
Early seat counts indicated the UDF leading in over 50 seats [4]. While some reports suggest a clear lead for the Congress alliance, Tharoor has expressed caution regarding the certainty of exit polls. He said these polls can be problematic, which complicates the interpretation of early trends.
Tharoor also characterized the election as a two-way contest between the ruling LDF and the UDF. "The battle is primarily between the ruling Left Democratic Front and the Congress-led UDF; the BJP is not a factor," Tharoor said [5].
When asked about the potential leadership of the state following the vote, Tharoor declined to name a successor. He said that the decision regarding the next chief minister rests with the party, and the elected members of the legislative assembly [6].
The UDF's current momentum is being framed by party leaders as a response to the governance of the previous decade. The coalition is positioning itself as the primary alternative for voters seeking a change in administration.
“"The high voter turnout augurs well for the Congress-led UDF."”
The potential victory of the UDF would represent a major political realignment in Kerala, breaking the LDF's long-term hold on power. By dismissing the BJP as a non-factor, Tharoor is reinforcing a bipolar political narrative that centers the contest on the two traditional coalitions, aiming to consolidate the anti-incumbency vote under the Congress banner.
