KOCHI: The victory in Thrikkakara gives hope to the Congress ranks, which were frustrated by the party's heavy defeat in the last assembly elections and the unrest following the change of leadership. On the other hand, the Left Front and its leadership suffered a setback with the defeat suffered during the first anniversary of the continuance of rule.

In the first election that took place after VD Satheesan and K Sudhakaran took over the party leadership, the majority won by the Congress went beyond the expectations of the party workers and leadership. The new leadership would have come under attack from within the party even if the lead had been lower than last time. Therefore, Uma's thumping victory will greatly increase the acceptance of the Satheesan-Sudhakaran team. Several leaders, including Hibi Eden, have already hailed Satheesan as the captain of the UDF.

The Left leadership can take comfort in the fact that it did not lose anything with the defeat at Thrikkakara, the strong fort of the UDF. However, it is a fact that the LDF suffered a big defeat despite organizing a campaign led by Pinarayi Vijayan with all its might. This will definitely raise many questions against the LDF leadership and the government as this was the first election that took place after the heated controversy surrounding the SilverLine. No one can say that the UDF achieved this victory on the basis of sympathy alone.

Although the victory in Thrikkakara will not affect the current political equation in any way, even the campaign led by the Chief Minister was not able to help the LDF.

As usual, it was the BJP lost most of its popular base. The current situation is much lower than the 15483 votes cast in the last election.

The UDF also benefited from the support from the Twenty20 which had garnered more than 13,000 votes in the last election. The allegation of the CPM leaders that the coordination of anti-Left votes favoured the UDF also points to the leakage of BJP votes.

LDF unable to achieve victory in Ernakulam
Ernakulam had not favoured the Left even in the elections that witnessed a Left wave. The CPM had taken disciplinary action against a large number of leaders in Ernakulam district following the defeat in the last election. Yet, the CPM's woes continue as the party was not able to make a huge mark in the district.

Strategies aimed at community votes also did not work for the Left. It also suffered a setback with the opposition alleging that Joe Joseph was a candidate of the Church.

K-Rail lessons

The defeat in the first election after the K-Rail controversy may prompt the party to reconsider its plans. The opposition has been terming LDF's defeat as a blow to the arrogant way of installing stones for the SilverLine project. Although the LDF government is unlikely to back off from the project, the government will be making its next moves in a cautious manner.