KANNUR: When counting of votes for the Lok Sabha polls are progressing, the UDF is leading in Dharmadom, the constituency of the chief minister. The UDF is leading in 19 constituencies out of the 20. A M Arif of the LDF is leading in Alappuzha, a small relief for the Left Front.

When two rounds of counting were completed in Dharmadaom constituency, K Sudhakaran is leading by 2819 votes. Sudhakaran is performing well in the left fortress.

Apart from Dharmadom, Sudhakaran is leading in Irikkur, Peravoor, Kannur and Azheekod constituencies. P K Sreemathi of the LDF is leading in Mattanur and Thaliparambu. She is leading in Mattanur only by 200 votes and 1400 in Thaliparambu.

When 20.29% votes were counted, Sudhakaran is leading by 18323 votes. Sreemathi attained 88,485 votes.

The Congress and its allies had forged ahead everywhere.

The BJP candidate in Thiruvananthapuram, after showing initial promise, slipped to the second position behind Congress candidate Shashi Tharoor.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi is leading in Wayanad.

The Left candidates, after leading initially in seven seats, slipped to the second spot in most places.

In 2014, the Congress-led UDF won in 12 and the Left in 8 seats.