Captain and ministers stumble; 14 ministers including Pinarayi Vijayan trailing

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As vote counting continues in the Kerala Assembly elections, 14 ministers are currently trailing. The UDF has taken a strong lead in 88 seats. In a major setback for the LDF, it is ahead in just 46 seats. Meanwhile, the NDA is leading in three seats, raising hopes of opening its account this time.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is trailing in Dharmadom even after the fourth round of counting. Other ministers who are behind include Roshy Augustine in Idukki, V.N. Vasavan in Ettumanoor, R. Bindu in Irinjalakuda, K.B. Ganesh Kumar in Pathanapuram, P. Rajeev in Kalamassery, O.R. Kelu in Mananthavady, V. Sivankutty in Nemom, Veena George in Aranmula, Abdurahiman in Tanur, P. Prasad in Cherthala, J. Chinchurani in Chadayamangalam, Kadannappally Ramachandran in Kannur, A.K. Saseendran in Elathur, and M.B. Rajesh in Thrithala.