THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP has created history by winning two seats in the Kerala University syndicate elections. This is the first time in history that BJP representatives have emerged victorious in the Kerala University syndicate, which was dominated by Left organizations, including CPM, for many years. LDF won six out of nine seats. BJP won two seats, while Congress won one seat. CPI, which was not ready for an alliance with CPM, had not fielded a candidate in the elections.
There are a total of 12 seats in the syndicate. Earlier, Left representatives had won unopposed in 3 of these seats. The elections were held for the remaining 9 seats.
BJP, which did not have the strength to ensure the victory of two candidates, was helped by coups and undercurrents. It is indicated that the BJP candidates got preferential votes from other organisations. The BJP candidates who won the election are National Teachers' Union State President PS Gopakumar and Dr Vinodkumar TG Nair, senior Scientist of Palode Botanical Garden and National Secretary of Vishwa Ayurveda Foundation.
The election result is a heavy blow to the CPM, which had full domination in the last syndicate except for one Congress representative.
The counting of votes took place amidst a tense atmosphere. Votes of four student representatives out of 17 nominated by the Governor, one teacher and 10 student representatives, whose terms expired on the last 23rd, were not counted.
Earlier today, the High Court issued an interim order stating that the Kerala University Syndicate Election results can be announced by counting the undisputed votes. The High Court had clarified that 82 out of 98 votes can be counted. The court also stated its order that the disputed 15 votes should not be counted.
A conflict erupted in the University premises after the CPM and the SFI protested against the action of the VC who refused to count the votes until the High Court issued the verdict.
CPM representatives who won in the elections: Prof KC Prakash, Dr K Rahim, Dr N Pramod, Dr TR Manoj, Adv RB Rajeev Kumar, DN Ajay. Elected unopposed: Dr S Naseeb, Prof V Manoj, Dr M Leninlal.
Congress representative: Ahmed Fasil.
Cross-voting?
It is believed that some Congress and CPI members cross-voted for BJP. It is hinted that some CPM members too cross-voted for the BJP. CPI has two members, while the Congress has 10 members. The vote of one student representative of Congress was not counted. BJP has 12 members. Nine votes are needed for one candidate to win. Yet, the BJP managed to win two seats instead of one.