Kerala has voted in 17 Assembly elections between 1957 and 2026. Communist Party of India (Marxist) has been the largest party in 7 of them — more than any rival.

Power has changed hands 13 times. The steadiest run was Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s — the top party from 2011 to 2021 across 3 elections.

In 2001, Indian National Congress broke through — 62 of 140 seats — ending Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s hold, which fell from 40 to 23.

In 2006, Communist Party of India (Marxist) broke through — 61 of 140 seats — ending Indian National Congress's hold, which fell from 62 to 24.

In 2011, Communist Party of India (Marxist) broke through — 45 of 140 seats — ending Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s hold, which fell from 61 to 0.

In 2026, Indian National Congress broke through — 63 of 140 seats — ending Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s hold, which fell from 62 to 26.

The sharpest single swing was 2006: Communist Party of India (Marxist) went from 0 to 61 seats, a gain of 61.

Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s steepest fall came in 2011, from 61 seats to 0.

The closest verdict was 1970: Indian National Congress finished just 1 seats ahead of Communist Party of India (Marxist).

Most recently, in 2026, Indian National Congress holds 63 of 140 seats on 28.8% of the vote — short of the 71-seat majority.

Pivotal elections

who held the house, seat by seat

First on record · 1957open →

CPI5548%
INC3833%
IND1311%
PSP87%

Communist Party of India · 35.3% of the vote · short of majority

The wave · 2006open →

CPIM6144%
INC2417%
CPI1712%
MUL75%
Others3122%

Communist Party of India (Marxist) · 30.4% of the vote · short of majority

Most recent · 2026open →

INC6345%
CPM2619%
IUML2216%
CPI86%
Others2115%

Indian National Congress · 28.8% of the vote · short of majority

The turn of 2006

2006 seats minus 2001

seats lostseats gained

CPIM

0 → 61

+61

INC

62 → 24

−38

CPI

7 → 17

+10

MUL

16 → 7

−9

KECM

9 → 7

−2

IND

3 → 5

JDS

3 → 5

KEC

2 → 4

Every time power changed hands

1960INC took the house with 59 of 114, ending CPI’s run (55 → 24).
1965CPIM took the house with 40 of 133, ending INC’s run (59 → 0).
1967CPM took the house with 52 of 133, ending CPIM’s run (40 → 0).
1970INC took the house with 30 of 133, ending CPM’s run (52 → 29).
1980CPM took the house with 35 of 140, ending INC’s run (38 → 17).
1982IND took the house with 33 of 140, ending CPM’s run (35 → 26).
1987CPM took the house with 38 of 140, ending IND’s run (33 → 0).
1991INC took the house with 55 of 140, ending CPM’s run (38 → 28).
1996CPM took the house with 40 of 140, ending INC’s run (55 → 37).
2001INC took the house with 62 of 140, ending CPM’s run (40 → 23).
2006CPIM took the house with 61 of 140, ending INC’s run (62 → 24).
2011CPM took the house with 45 of 140, ending CPIM’s run (61 → 0).
2026INC took the house with 63 of 140, ending CPM’s run (62 → 26).

Party identity

renames, splits and mergers along the way

Indian National Congress saw All India Trinamool Congress break away in 1998; saw Nationalist Congress Party break away in 1999; saw YSR Congress Party break away in 2011; saw NCO break away in 1969; saw INCU break away in 1979; saw ICS break away in 1978; saw BAC break away in 1966; saw UTC break away in 1969; saw HVP break away in 1996; saw AINRC break away in 2011; took in MSCP in 2014; took in ICS in 1986; took in NNO in 1976; took in HVP in 2004; took in VHP in 1978.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) broke away from Communist Party of India in 1964.
Communist Party of India saw Communist Party of India (Marxist) break away in 1964.

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