THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP’s dream to capture Thiruvananthapuram Corporation came to naught at a time when the results of local body polls are in the last phase. Though they were able to lead strongly, the NDA was not able to prevent the successful feat of the LDF. The congress was confined to name only.

The fight was between the LDF and the NDA in each phase of counting of votes. Although the BJP shocked everyone by getting a lead in early trends, the lotus was not able to continue their leap. The party’s election campaign ‘BJP Mayor’ to receive the Prime Minister when he arrives in the capital city did not help them.

Propaganda of capturing corporation boomeranged
The assessment is that their big campaign to capture the corporation delivered a setback for the BJP. Votes from minority areas reached the LDF. Though they were not able to capture the corporation, the BJP alliance has once again proved its strength in it. While retaining influence in city strongholds, the LDF also won seats in strongholds. With most of the minority votes going to the LDF, they were not able to capture it. Disputes within the party in some areas also was a setback.

UDF collapses
The election results of the UDF across the state have shocked even the allies. When votes from the minority areas went to the LDF, the UDF's hopes of getting these votes did not yield any results. They incurred a severe bolt. The UDF is in the third spot and was not able to give their performance of last time. None of the allegations against the government led by opposition leader reflected as votes. The inability to gain much in many coastal areas and the organizational weakness of the grassroots were a setback for the UDF.

Leaders lose when attained power
Although the LDF retained power, the defeat of leaders including mayor K Sreekumar was a setback. A G Oleena and Pushpalatha raised as mayor candidate were defeated. The latest status in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is LDF-52, NDA -35, UDF-10 and others 3.