Following a decisive landslide victory for the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the Kerala Assembly elections, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has officially submitted his resignation to the Governor. The Governor has accepted the request, asking Vijayan to remain in a caretaker capacity until a new government is sworn in. This resignation marks the conclusion of a significant chapter in Kerala politics, ending a tenure that spanned exactly 9 years, 11 months, and 9 days.

The "Kannur strongman" first took office on May 25, 2016, and successfully led the Left Democratic Front (LDF) to a historic consecutive term in 2021. However, five years later, the party has encountered its most substantial electoral setback in the state's history. Even Vijayan’s own seat in Dharmadam, where he previously enjoyed a massive majority, became a focal point of the struggle as he trailed through the first seven rounds of counting before eventually securing a narrow victory.

As the political landscape shifts, the veteran leader-who also served as party secretary for 17 years-faces a new reality with the LDF reduced to just 35 MLAs. Given that Vijayan is now over 80 years old, political analysts suggest it is unlikely he will take on the role of Leader of the Opposition. His departure signals a major transition for the state as the UDF prepares to form a government and navigate the post-election landscape.

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