Results of local by-polls; LDF and UDF neck and neck in state

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The LDF has retained power of Piravom municipality. Dr Ajesh Manohar, the LDF candidate won with a majority of 26 votes in the by-election to Edappallichira ward. As the LDF and the UDF had an equal membership, a tough fight was witnessed here.

The LDF retained Koombara ward in Kozhikode Koodaranji panchayat by 47 votes. The CPM is leading in Alappuzha Aroor, Palakkad Sreekrishnapuram and Kozhikode Nanmanda district panchayat divisions. BJP wrested the LDF seat in Idamalakkudi.

The UDF retained rule of the Iringalakuda Municipal after a tight contest. The UDF candidate won with a majority of 151 votes. O M Saseendran of the Muslim League won with a majority of 530 votes in Valliyodu ward of Kozhikode Unnikulam panchayat.

The Gandhinagar ward of Kochi Corporation was retained by the LDF. CPM candidate Bindu Sivan won with a majority of 687 votes. The by-poll was held following the death of K Sivan. The LDF won in Kottayam Kanakkari panchayat. V G Anil Kumar of the CPM won with a majority of 338 votes in Kalaripady ward. It was the sitting seat of the Congress.

UDF candidate Sunu Jord won by 252 votes in the 12th ward of Manjoor panchayat. The UDF also retained the Ozhinjavalappu ward in Kanhangad municipality. Congress candidate K K Babu won by a majority of 116 votes. Abdul Sathar of the Muslim League won by a majority of 710 votes in the Cheenikkal division of Pookottur panchayat.

CPM candidate Clinez Rosaria won the Vettukadu ward of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation with a majority of 1490 votes. LDF candidate S Ravikumar won by 45 votes at Ponnamchundu, the third ward of Vithura Grama Panchayat. The LDF is leading by 495 votes in the Pothencode block. UDF candidate Pradeep Kumar won by a majority of 317 votes. in the Naduvilakkara ward of Thevalakkara panchayat in Kollam.

UDF candidate Prince Thomas won the Kurisumpady ward in Idukki Rajakkad panchayath with a majority of 429 votes. In the eighth ward of Ongaloor panchayat, CPM candidate K Ashokan defeated the BJP candidate by 380 votes. In the Palakkad Kuzhalmandam block panchayat division, CPM candidate Somadasan won by 1381 votes.