The local body elections in Ernakulam have become a crucial battle between the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). Both fronts want to increase their seats as these results will influence the political tone before the upcoming Assembly elections. Ernakulam is traditionally a Congress stronghold. It voted for UDF in the 2020 local polls, but the UDF lost the important Kochi Corporation to the LDF. This time, the UDF wants to win back the Kochi Corporation at all costs. This is especially important as the district is the base for UDF leader V.D. Satheesan, who is also in charge of their campaign for Kochi Corporation. For the LDF, holding onto the Kochi Corporation is key to show approval of its rule in the state and the local bodies. The current local body picture in Ernakulam is interesting. The UDF runs most local bodies, but LDF has the most elected members across grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities, the Corporation, and district panchayat, with 814 representatives versus UDF’s 809. In 2020, UDF won the district panchayat with 16 wards against LDF’s nine. Among 13 municipalities, UDF governs nine, LDF four. Earlier this year, UDF gained the Koothattukulam municipality after a CPI(M) councillor switched sides. In block panchayats, LDF rules seven and UDF one. The Kitex-backed Twenty20 group influences some areas like Vadavukode block panchayat, ruling four grama panchayats. UDF controls 48 out of 82 grama panchayats while LDF governs 30. BJP holds 100 seats across local bodies—less than CPI’s 107 in Ernakulam. BJP aims to win at least five grama panchayats this time and gain more influence. UDF hopes to ride anti-incumbency feelings in both hill and coastal areas. LDF is banking on its welfare work like pension hikes and poverty relief to gain grassroots support. The fight for power in Ernakulam’s local bodies is shaping up to be intense and key to political futures.