The Hindu Editorial • May 07, 2026 • Read Original

Back in the saddle: On the Congress-led UDF’s win in the Kerala Assembly polls

Congress leaders in Kerala should rise above personal ambitions

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The Hindu Read Original

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Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on May 07, 2026

Back in the saddle: On the Congress-led UDF’s win in the Kerala Assembly polls

Congress leaders in Kerala should rise above personal ambitions

Kerala Assembly Polls 2026Congress UDF VictoryLDF DefeatBJP Kerala PresenceIndian Politics

Sentences

Sentence 1 of 14

English Original

Riding a massive anti-incumbency wave, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) returned to power in Kerala on May 4, ending 10 years of its being in the political wilderness.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Riding a massive wave

Benefiting from the strong public feeling against the current government

Part 2

the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF)

The group of political parties in Kerala led by the Congress party

Part 3

returned

Came back to a previous position

Part 4

to power

Into the position of governing the state

Part 5

in Kerala

In the south Indian state of Kerala

Part 6

on May 4

The specific date the results were announced

Part 7

ending 10 years of its being in the

Finishing the decade-long period where they were not in power

Context and Background

UDF and Kerala Elections

The United Democratic Front (UDF) is a coalition of political parties in Kerala led by the Indian National Congress. In Kerala’s political history, power usually alternated between the UDF and the LDF every five years, but the LDF broke this trend by winning two consecutive terms in 2016 and 2021.

Sentence 2 of 14

English Original

After an unprecedented defeat in 2021, the alliance worked systematically for a comeback, winning four bye-elections, the general election in 2024 and the civic-body polls last year before storming back into the State Assembly through deft electioneering and collective effort that sought to capitalise on surging resentment against the functioning of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government led by CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

After an defeat in 2021

Following a loss in the 2021 elections that was larger than ever before

Part 2

the alliance

The group of parties working together (the UDF)

Part 3

worked

Put in effort to achieve a goal

Part 4

systematically

In a planned and organized way

Part 5

for a comeback

To return to power after a period of failure

Part 6

winning four , the general election in 2024 and the civic-body polls last year

Being successful in several small and large elections between 2021 and 2026

Part 7

before storming back into the State Assembly

Just before winning a large number of seats in the state legislature

Part 8

through and collective effort that sought to capitalise on surging against the functioning of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government led by CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan

By using clever campaign strategies and working together to take advantage of people’s growing anger towards the previous government

Context and Background

LDF and Pinarayi Vijayan

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) is a coalition of left-wing parties in Kerala, led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M). Pinarayi Vijayan, a prominent CPI(M) leader, served as the Chief Minister of Kerala from 2016 until the 2026 elections.

Sentence 3 of 14

English Original

The BJP reopened its account, securing three seats, finishing second in six and clinching a substantial share of votes in pockets in north, central and south Kerala, redrawing the electoral landscape.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party, a major political party in India

Part 2

reopened

Started again after being stopped for some time

Part 3

its account

The number of seats they have in the assembly (winning at least one seat)

Part 4

securing three seats, finishing second in six and a substantial share of votes in pockets in north, central and south Kerala

Winning 3 seats, coming close in 6 others, and getting many votes in certain parts of the state

Part 5

redrawing the electoral landscape

Changing the way elections and political boundaries are understood in the area

Context and Background

BJP

The BJP won its first-ever seat in the Kerala Assembly in 2016 (Nemom constituency). However, it lost that seat in 2021 and had no representation in the assembly until the 2026 win mentioned here, where it secured three seats.

Sentence 4 of 14

English Original

Its low vote share notwithstanding, the party is doubtless growing, albeit incrementally.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Its low vote share

Even though they did not get a large percentage of the total votes

Part 2

the party

The BJP

Part 3

is growing

Is becoming larger or more influential

Part 4

doubtless

Certainly; without any doubt

Part 5

Even if it is happening only in very small steps

Sentence 5 of 14

English Original

To be fair to the Left, which received a debilitating blow, the outgoing government embarked on a path of growth, filling infrastructure gaps, soliciting private investment and pursuing sustainable industries without forgoing its Leftist thrust on welfare and public governance, despite facing fiscal embargoes and pocket veto by inimical Governors.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

To be fair to the Left, which received a

In order to give a balanced view of the Left parties after their big defeat

Part 2

the outgoing government

The LDF government that was in power until the recent election

Part 3

embarked

Started a new activity or journey

Part 4

on a path of growth

Following a plan to improve the economy and state

Part 5

filling infrastructure gaps, private investment and pursuing industries

Building roads and bridges, asking businesses for money, and starting eco-friendly factories

Part 6

without its Leftist on welfare and public governance

Without stopping their focus on helping the poor and managing the state according to Leftist ideas

Part 7

despite facing and by Governors

Even though they had trouble with money limits and bills being blocked by governors who were not helpful

Context and Background

Kerala Government and the Governor

In recent years, the Kerala government has faced several conflicts with the State Governor over the passing of bills and financial management. The term ‘pocket veto’ refers to the Governor’s power to delay bills indefinitely without either signing them or returning them to the assembly.

Sentence 6 of 14

English Original

While Left supporters acquiesced in its political economy, many could not digest the lack of accountability and the overbearing, if not dismissive, demeanour of the CPI(M)’s senior leadership.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

While Left supporters in its

Even though people who like the Left parties accepted their way of managing the state’s money and power

Part 2

many

A large number of voters or supporters

Part 3

could digest

Were able to accept or understand something difficult

Part 4

not

Used here to show that they were unable to accept it

Part 5

the lack of and the , if not , of the CPI(M)’s senior leadership

The fact that leaders didn’t explain their actions and acted in a very bossy or rude way

Sentence 7 of 14

English Original

The Left tried to claim what was seen as an emerging Hindu vote base through events such as the Global Ayyappa Devotees’ Meet, even while selectively targeting the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) for presumably being in concert with the forces of political Islam.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Left

The group of left-wing political parties (LDF)

Part 2

tried

Made an effort to do something

Part 3

to claim what was seen as an Hindu vote base

To win the support of a new group of Hindu voters who were starting to vote together

Part 4

through events such as the Global Ayyappa Devotees’ Meet

By organizing or participating in religious gatherings like the Global Ayyappa Devotees’ Meet

Part 5

even while targeting the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) for being the forces of political Islam

While at the same time attacking the IUML party by saying they are working with radical religious groups

Context and Background

Sabarimala Issue and IUML

The ‘Global Ayyappa Devotees’ Meet’ was an attempt by the Left to regain support from Hindu voters who were upset over the Sabarimala temple entry issue. Simultaneously, the Left often criticizes the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) to consolidate secular and other religious votes, sometimes accusing them of being too religious-focused.

Sentence 8 of 14

English Original

The IUML employed everything in its armour to hand a crushing defeat to the Left, not just in Malappuram, its stronghold, but also in other parts of the State.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The IUML

The Indian Union Muslim League, a major political party in Kerala

Part 2

employed

Used something to achieve a purpose

Part 3

everything in its

All the methods, resources, and power it had available

Part 4

to hand a to the Left

In order to make the Left parties lose very badly

Part 5

not just in Malappuram, its , but also in other parts of the State

Doing this both in their strongest area (Malappuram) and in many other places in Kerala

Sentence 9 of 14

English Original

Rebellion broke out in the rank and file of the Left ahead of the elections over issues of nepotism and the concentration of power in a single person bestowed with a cult status, which the UDF leveraged.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Rebellion

Opposition or protest against those in power

Part 2

broke out

Started suddenly

Part 3

in the of the Left

Among the ordinary members and workers of the Left parties

Part 4

ahead of the elections

Before the voting took place

Part 5

over issues of and the concentration of power in a single person with a

Because leaders favored their relatives and one person held all the power and was treated like a hero or god

Part 6

which the UDF

Which the UDF used as an advantage during the campaign

Sentence 10 of 14

English Original

It led to the fall of some decades-old Left citadels, with a cascading effect elsewhere as well.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The rebellion and the UDF’s strategy mentioned before

Part 2

led

Caused something to happen

Part 3

to the fall of some decades-old Left

To the loss of areas where the Left parties had won for many years

Part 4

with a elsewhere as well

With the result spreading like a chain reaction to other areas too

Sentence 11 of 14

English Original

Back in the saddle, the immediate task before the Congress and the UDF will be to stay true to their slogan of being a team and finalise a cabinet with a popular and efficient leader.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Back in a position of power or control (like getting back on a horse)

Part 2

the immediate task before the Congress and the UDF

The very first thing the Congress and UDF parties need to do now

Part 3

will be

Used here to describe what the future task is

Part 4

to stay true to their slogan of being a team and finalise a with a popular and leader

To keep their promise of working together and to choose a good leader and ministers for the government

Sentence 12 of 14

English Original

A historic mandate of 102 seats, also counting the independents it backed, should inspire the alliance to form a government that is accessible, competent and grounded.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

A historic of 102 seats, also counting the it backed

The very big win of 102 seats, including the individual candidates they supported

Part 2

should inspire

Ought to give them the motivation or idea to do something

Part 3

the alliance

The group of parties (UDF)

Part 4

to form a government that is , and

To create a government that is easy for people to talk to, does its job well, and understands the needs of regular people

Sentence 13 of 14

English Original

The period between polling and counting saw senior Congress leaders draw public ridicule for an unabashed display of a lust for the chief ministerial post, to the dismay of the party high command and the allies.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The period between and

The time after people voted but before the final results were announced

Part 2

saw

Observed or was the time when something happened

Part 3

senior Congress leaders

The top and experienced members of the Congress party

Part 4

draw

To attract or bring something (like attention or criticism) towards oneself

Part 5

public

People making fun of or laughing at them in a negative way

Part 6

for an display of a for the chief ministerial post

Because they showed everyone that they very badly wanted to be the Chief Minister, without any shame

Part 7

to the of the party and the allies

Making the top party leaders and their partners feel worried and disappointed

Sentence 14 of 14

English Original

The UDF leaders should set their house in order and avoid individual ambitions taking precedence over collective responsibility.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The UDF leaders

The people in charge of the United Democratic Front alliance

Part 2

should set… in order

Ought to organize or fix their own internal problems

Part 3

their house

Metaphorically, their own political party and its internal affairs

Part 4

avoid

To stay away from or stop something from happening

Part 5

individual ambitions taking over

Personal goals being seen as more important than working together as a group

Sentence 1 of 14

Sentences Breakdown

Editorial Summary

5-Point Summary

1 The Congress-led UDF has returned to power in Kerala after ten years, riding an anti-incumbency wave against the LDF government.
2 The victory followed a series of successful performances by the UDF in bye-elections, the 2024 general elections, and local body polls.
3 While the BJP’s seat count remains low at three, its growing vote share across various regions signifies a shift in Kerala’s electoral dynamics.
4 The LDF’s defeat is attributed to a lack of accountability and leadership issues, despite the government’s focus on infrastructure and welfare.
5 The editorial advises the UDF leadership to prioritize collective responsibility over individual ambitions for effective governance.

Tone of the Editorial

Analytical

Why this tone?

The editorial provides an analytical assessment of the Kerala election results, breaking down the performance of the UDF, LDF, and BJP. It goes beyond mere reporting by identifying the reasons behind the shift in voter sentiment and concluding with a cautionary note for the victors to maintain unity.

Sentence 1 of 14

Riding a massive anti-incumbency wave, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) returned to power in Kerala on May 4, ending 10 years of its being in the political wilderness.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Riding a massive anti-incumbency wave

Benefiting from the strong public feeling against the current government

Part 2

the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF)

The group of political parties in Kerala led by the Congress party

Part 3

returned

Came back to a previous position

Part 4

to power

Into the position of governing the state

Part 5

in Kerala

In the south Indian state of Kerala

Part 6

on May 4

The specific date the results were announced

Part 7

ending 10 years of its being in the political wilderness

Finishing the decade-long period where they were not in power

Sentence 2 of 14

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

After an unprecedented defeat in 2021

Following a loss in the 2021 elections that was larger than ever before

Part 2

the alliance

The group of parties working together (the UDF)

Part 3

worked

Put in effort to achieve a goal

Part 4

systematically

In a planned and organized way

Part 5

for a comeback

To return to power after a period of failure

Part 6

winning four bye-elections, the general election in 2024 and the civic-body polls last year

Being successful in several small and large elections between 2021 and 2026

Part 7

before storming back into the State Assembly

Just before winning a large number of seats in the state legislature

Part 8

through deft electioneering and collective effort that sought to capitalise on surging resentment against the functioning of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government led by CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan

By using clever campaign strategies and working together to take advantage of people’s growing anger towards the previous government

Sentence 3 of 14

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party, a major political party in India

Part 2

reopened

Started again after being stopped for some time

Part 3

its account

The number of seats they have in the assembly (winning at least one seat)

Part 4

securing three seats, finishing second in six and clinching a substantial share of votes in pockets in north, central and south Kerala

Winning 3 seats, coming close in 6 others, and getting many votes in certain parts of the state

Part 5

redrawing the electoral landscape

Changing the way elections and political boundaries are understood in the area

Sentence 4 of 14

Its low vote share notwithstanding, the party is doubtless growing, albeit incrementally.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Its low vote share notwithstanding

Even though they did not get a large percentage of the total votes

Part 2

the party

The BJP

Part 3

is growing

Is becoming larger or more influential

Part 4

doubtless

Certainly; without any doubt

Part 5

albeit incrementally

Even if it is happening only in very small steps

Sentence 5 of 14

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

To be fair to the Left, which received a debilitating blow

In order to give a balanced view of the Left parties after their big defeat

Part 2

the outgoing government

The LDF government that was in power until the recent election

Part 3

embarked

Started a new activity or journey

Part 4

on a path of growth

Following a plan to improve the economy and state

Part 5

filling infrastructure gaps, soliciting private investment and pursuing sustainable industries

Building roads and bridges, asking businesses for money, and starting eco-friendly factories

Part 6

without forgoing its Leftist thrust on welfare and public governance

Without stopping their focus on helping the poor and managing the state according to Leftist ideas

Part 7

despite facing fiscal embargoes and pocket veto by inimical Governors

Even though they had trouble with money limits and bills being blocked by governors who were not helpful

Sentence 6 of 14

While Left supporters acquiesced in its political economy, many could not digest the lack of accountability and the overbearing, if not dismissive, demeanour of the CPI(M)’s senior leadership.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

While Left supporters acquiesced in its political economy

Even though people who like the Left parties accepted their way of managing the state’s money and power

Part 2

many

A large number of voters or supporters

Part 3

could digest

Were able to accept or understand something difficult

Part 4

not

Used here to show that they were unable to accept it

Part 5

the lack of accountability and the overbearing, if not dismissive, demeanour of the CPI(M)’s senior leadership

The fact that leaders didn’t explain their actions and acted in a very bossy or rude way

Sentence 7 of 14

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Left

The group of left-wing political parties (LDF)

Part 2

tried

Made an effort to do something

Part 3

to claim what was seen as an emerging Hindu vote base

To win the support of a new group of Hindu voters who were starting to vote together

Part 4

through events such as the Global Ayyappa Devotees’ Meet

By organizing or participating in religious gatherings like the Global Ayyappa Devotees’ Meet

Part 5

even while selectively targeting the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) for presumably being in concert with the forces of political Islam

While at the same time attacking the IUML party by saying they are working with radical religious groups

Sentence 8 of 14

The IUML employed everything in its armour to hand a crushing defeat to the Left, not just in Malappuram, its stronghold, but also in other parts of the State.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The IUML

The Indian Union Muslim League, a major political party in Kerala

Part 2

employed

Used something to achieve a purpose

Part 3

everything in its armour

All the methods, resources, and power it had available

Part 4

to hand a crushing defeat to the Left

In order to make the Left parties lose very badly

Part 5

not just in Malappuram, its stronghold, but also in other parts of the State

Doing this both in their strongest area (Malappuram) and in many other places in Kerala

Sentence 9 of 14

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Rebellion

Opposition or protest against those in power

Part 2

broke out

Started suddenly

Part 3

in the rank and file of the Left

Among the ordinary members and workers of the Left parties

Part 4

ahead of the elections

Before the voting took place

Part 5

over issues of nepotism and the concentration of power in a single person bestowed with a cult status

Because leaders favored their relatives and one person held all the power and was treated like a hero or god

Part 6

which the UDF leveraged

Which the UDF used as an advantage during the campaign

Sentence 10 of 14

It led to the fall of some decades-old Left citadels, with a cascading effect elsewhere as well.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The rebellion and the UDF’s strategy mentioned before

Part 2

led

Caused something to happen

Part 3

to the fall of some decades-old Left citadels

To the loss of areas where the Left parties had won for many years

Part 4

with a cascading effect elsewhere as well

With the result spreading like a chain reaction to other areas too

Sentence 11 of 14

Back in the saddle, the immediate task before the Congress and the UDF will be to stay true to their slogan of being a team and finalise a cabinet with a popular and efficient leader.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Back in the saddle

Back in a position of power or control (like getting back on a horse)

Part 2

the immediate task before the Congress and the UDF

The very first thing the Congress and UDF parties need to do now

Part 3

will be

Used here to describe what the future task is

Part 4

to stay true to their slogan of being a team and finalise a cabinet with a popular and efficient leader

To keep their promise of working together and to choose a good leader and ministers for the government

Sentence 12 of 14

A historic mandate of 102 seats, also counting the independents it backed, should inspire the alliance to form a government that is accessible, competent and grounded.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

A historic mandate of 102 seats, also counting the independents it backed

The very big win of 102 seats, including the individual candidates they supported

Part 2

should inspire

Ought to give them the motivation or idea to do something

Part 3

the alliance

The group of parties (UDF)

Part 4

to form a government that is accessible, competent and grounded

To create a government that is easy for people to talk to, does its job well, and understands the needs of regular people

Sentence 13 of 14

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The period between polling and counting

The time after people voted but before the final results were announced

Part 2

saw

Observed or was the time when something happened

Part 3

senior Congress leaders

The top and experienced members of the Congress party

Part 4

draw

To attract or bring something (like attention or criticism) towards oneself

Part 5

public ridicule

People making fun of or laughing at them in a negative way

Part 6

for an unabashed display of a lust for the chief ministerial post

Because they showed everyone that they very badly wanted to be the Chief Minister, without any shame

Part 7

to the dismay of the party high command and the allies

Making the top party leaders and their partners feel worried and disappointed

Sentence 14 of 14

The UDF leaders should set their house in order and avoid individual ambitions taking precedence over collective responsibility.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The UDF leaders

The people in charge of the United Democratic Front alliance

Part 2

should set… in order

Ought to organize or fix their own internal problems

Part 3

their house

Metaphorically, their own political party and its internal affairs

Part 4

avoid

To stay away from or stop something from happening

Part 5

individual ambitions taking precedence over collective responsibility

Personal goals being seen as more important than working together as a group

Reading Comprehension

Practice questions based on this editorial

Reading Comprehension - Congress-led UDF Win in Kerala

Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about the Congress-led UDF's victory in the Kerala Assembly polls.

5 Questions Passing: 70%

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Back in the saddle: On the Congress-led UDF’s win in the Kerala Assembly polls

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