LDF increases seat tally in local body polls; BJP behind UDF’s victory in Kallara

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM state secretary M V Govindan said the LDF had made significant gains in the local body elections. He said one of the major highlights was the LDF's victory in the Thrikkodithanam division in Kottayam. Govindan said this while speaking to the media after the results of the by-elections held in 38 local self-government institutions were out.

‘The UDF won the Thrikkodithanam division in Kottayam by 748 votes last time and this time, the LDF won there with a majority of 2,940 votes. It was a win by a substantial margin.

The LDF had won by 7,085 votes last time in the Pallassana District Panchayat division in Palakkad. This time won by a margin of 1,658 votes. We have secured a large majority not only in the areas we captured but also in the areas we had won previously.

When examined Kallara division, the UDF had won by 5,683 votes last time. However, this margin has now shrunk to 3,019 votes. It is evident that the UDF's victory in Kallara was aided by an understanding with the BJP.

The BJP had received 10,081 votes here last time, but this time its vote count fell to 5,828. The UDF won by 3,019 votes in a situation where the BJP's vote count dropped by 4,155. This indicates that BJP votes are shifting in favour of the UDF.

If examined the block panchayats, elections were held in seven block panchayats. The LDF, which had three seats last time, has now increased its tally to five seats,’ said M V Govindan.