Politics of Kerala

Like other Indian states, Kerala is governed via a parliamentary system of representative democracy with universal suffrage granted to residents. There are three branches of government. The legislature - the Legislative Assembly - is composed of elected members as well as special offices (the Speaker and Deputy Speaker) elected by assemblymen. In turn, Assembly meetings are presided over by the Speaker (or the Deputy Speaker, if the Speaker is absent).

The judiciary is composed of an apex High Court of Kerala (including a Chief Justice combined with twenty-six permanent and two additional (pro tempore) justices) and a system of lower courts. Lastly, the executive authority - composed of the Governor of Kerala (the de jure head of state and appointed by the President of India), the Chief Minister of Kerala (the de facto head of state; the Legislative Assembly’s majority party leader is appointed to this position by the Governor), and the Council of Ministers (appointed by the Governor, with input from the Chief Minister). In turn, the Council of Ministers answers to the Legislative Assembly. In addition, auxilliary authorities - panchayats, for which elections are regularly held - govern local affairs.

Kerala hosts two major political alliances: the United Democratic Front (UDF - led by the Indian National Congress) and the Left Democratic Front (led by the - Communist Party of India (Marxist)). At present, the UDF is the ruling party and Oommen Chandy is the current Chief Minister. Nevertheless, Kerala numbers among India’s most left-wing states. Keralites, when compared to most other Indians, participate highly in the political arena.