The United Front, led by INC and CPI won plurality of seats and remained in power, with K. Karunakaran as the Chief Minister.

[1] Fourth Kerala Legislative Assembly, which was elected in 1970, completed its term by 1975, but it was extended on three occasions during the Emergency.

However, Karunakaran had to resign within a month over the controversial death of Left-leaning engineering student Rajan, who was tortured during the Emergency when he was the Home Minister.

Antony resigned as Chief Minister in late 1978 when his Congress faction decided to support Indira Gandhi in Chickmagalur bye-election.

Though the ruling alliance had won nearly 80% seats in the election, it became unstable, and the assembly lasted less than 3 years.