Big leap for UDF in Kollam; N K Premachandran's lead crosses 10,000, Mukesh just behind

KOLLAM: UDF candidate N K Premachandran has a huge lead in Kollam as the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections is in progress. He has now a lead of 11,486 votes. LDF candidate M Mukesh is just behind him. NDA candidate Krishnakumar comes third.

Premachandran won the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with a majority of 148856 votes. This time, UDF again fielded Premachandran with the aim of scoring a hat-trick. The LDF hoped to field MLA and actor Mukesh and win the constituency. However, Mukesh is now in the second position as the counting of votes is in progress. The NDA fielded actor Krishnakumar as their candidate in the constituency. However, he was pushed to the third place.

The Kollam Lok Sabha Constituency consists of seven assembly constituencies namely Kollam, Eravipuram, Chathannur, Chavara, Punalur, Chadayamangalam and Kundara. Out of the 17 elections held since the formation of the constituency, the Left has won 10. According to the front agreement, RSP contested for LDF. The RSP joined the UDF following the seat dispute in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Premachandran won the next two elections. As the counting of votes are progressing, Premachandran is all set to win in Kollam.