UDF gains in local by-elections; wrests six seats from LDF, will destroy forts, says V D Satheesan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The results of the by-elections held for 28 local wards of the state are out. UDF gained in the bypolls held. Though LDF won 15 seats, they lost six sitting seats. Five of these were wrested by the UDF. UDF got 11 seats. NDA won in two places. The UDF wrested six seats and retained five seats. UDF won all the four seats in Malappuram.

By-elections were held in all districts except Idukki and Kasaragod. By-elections were held in one corporation ward, one district panchayat ward, two municipality wards and 23 grama panchayat wards.

Meantime, the LDF wrested one seat from the UDF. LDF retained 13 seats. NDA wrested one seat from the LDF. BJP retained the Thanneermukkam seat.

Information available so far is as follows

Kannur
LDF retained all the three seats in Kannur in the by-elections.
CPM won in Valliyot ward of Mayyil panchayat.
The LDF retained the Kottoor ward of Srikandapuram municipality.
LDF also won Muringodi.

Kozhikode
Kozhikode Cheruvannur Panchayat administration was retained by the UDF. The UDF wrested the seat from the LDF in the crucial by-election in the 15th ward.

Wayanad
UDF candidate wins in Palakara Ward of Sultan Bathery Municipality. Though the UDF captured the LDF sitting seat, the result will not affect the LDF-ruled municipal administration.