Big win for Congress in Kerala

Votes are still being counted but if trends hold, these are the key takeaways from the state:

The Congress finally has something to celebrate after two successive defeats in Kerala (and several other states). Along with its allies, the party look set to form the government, reports BBC.

The CPI(M)-led Left coalition could not make history by winning a third term in the state, but what is more worrying for them is that some of their ministers have also lost their seats and others are trailing.

The defeat means there will be no state government run by the Left in India for the first time in about five decades. That raises some painful questions for India’s Communist parties, which have seen an erosion in their support base across the country.

The BJP looks set to win at least two assembly seats in the state, which would be its highest ever tally in Kerala. The vote share of its larger National Democratic Alliance has increased from the last assembly election in 2021, which will give its future ambitions stronger ground.