Local body polls: Setback for LDF, UDF makes gains in three panchayats

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The results of various local body by-elections held in the state have come. The Congress captured the Karuvambaram ward in Malappuram Manjeri Municipality from the CPM. It was a ward that the CPM had been winning continuously for 42 years. The election commission had disqualified the LDF ward member here in connection with double status. Following this, re-elections were held.

However, the LDF captured the Perumukku ward in Alankode panchayat in Malappuram from the Congress. This was a seat that the Congress had been winning continously. Two more results are yet to come in the Thrikkalangode division and Thrikkalangode grama panchayat of Malappuram district panchayat. The counting of votes is underway here. The by-elections were held here following the death of people's representative in both places.

Meantime, the UDF won in a landslide at Nattika in Thrissur. The UDF also captured the Karimannur panchayat in Idukki. The UDF also won the 12th ward of the Pathiyur panchayat in Alappuzha. The Congress also captured the fourth ward of Thachampara in Palakkad. The LDF won the third ward of Athirampuzha panchayat in Kottayam. The LDF also captured the fifth ward of Kallada in Kollam. The LDF retained the sixth ward of Kanichar panchayat in Kannur and the sixth ward of Madayi. The BJP won the fifth ward of Ezhumattoor in Pathanamthitta. This was a seat that the Congress had always won.

With this, the LDF will lose its continued rule in the panchayats of Nattika in Thrissur, Thachampara in Palakkad and Karimannur in Idukki. The UDF got a landslide victory in all three panchayats.