Kerala will hold two-phase local body elections on December 9 and 11. Voters will choose representatives for six Corporations, 87 municipalities, 14 district panchayats, and 941 grama panchayats. The opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) is optimistic. It aims to regain ground after nearly ten years out of power. The UDF views these polls as a key test after 2024 Lok Sabha and recent Assembly byelections. UDF leaders say their coalition is at stake. They seek to counter the Left Democratic Front's (LDF) claim that the opposition is weak and protest-focused. Instead, UDF has launched a strong election strategy. They criticize the government for poor public services like health, bad roads, clogged canals, garbage issues, sewage problems, inflation, unemployment, and the high cost of living. Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan said, "At the same time, we are not dialling down our volume on corruption, such as the Sabarimala gold theft, and other major political issues, including the LDF’s deference in matters such as the PM SHRI and Labour Code to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government." He added that local bodies face a financial crisis with empty treasuries and unpaid contractors, affecting essential infrastructure and public works. Former KPCC president Mullapally Ramachandran called the Sabarimala gold theft a mark of "LDF’s misgovernance, nepotism and corruption." He noted it connects deeply with voters. A Congress insider said the UDF also wants to stop the BJP from using the issue for communal politics, seeing Hindutva as a threat to Kerala’s political balance. Despite some internal seat-sharing disputes, the UDF claims rebel candidates won’t harm their chances. However, coalitions face challenges, especially at the grassroots. Many ward committees exist only on paper, and allies feel the Congress sometimes neglects support during campaigns. G. Devarajan, Forward Bloc national general secretary, said, "Sadly, the Congress workers do not often feel the necessity to give a leg-up to their allies on the campaign trail." He praised the LDF’s united campaign spirit in 2021 and suggested the UDF adopt similar teamwork to strengthen its chances. The elections will be a crucial indicator of public mood ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls in Kerala.