Left without power nationwide for the first time since 1977

The results mean that the Left front will not be in power in any Indian state, a first since 1977. After losing power in West Bengal in 2011, it suffered a setback in Tripura in 2018.

Meanwhile, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has sent his letter of resignation as chief minister to state governor Rajendra Arlekar, a person familiar with the matter confirmed.

The LDF, which began its current stint in power in 2016 with wins in 91 out of 140 seats, repeated the feat in 2021 with a larger mandate of 99 seats. The victory marked the first time a state government was re-elected in four decades, and was largely built on the LDF ‘s ability to expand its social base beyond its core Hindu vote base to include Muslims and Christians, its robust social welfare plank and Vijayan’s image as a tough and effective administrator.