Kerala is once again on the cusp of a tightly fought electoral contest, with the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) locked in a familiar battle, even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attempts to expand its footprint in a state where it has historically struggled. For decades, Kerala’s politics followed a predictable rhythm. Since 1982, voters alternated between the LDF and UDF every five years, ensuring no government grew too comfortable in power. That pattern was dramatically broken in 2021 when the LDF, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, secured a second consecutive term. Now, as Vijayan completes a decade in office at the age of 80, the question is whether Kerala will revert to its instinct for change.
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