LDF Secures Victory in Kerala Local Body By-Elections

Thiruvananthapuram: LDF triumphed in the local body by-election conducted in 30 wards across the state. The by-election was conducted throughout the districts except in Wayanad. LDF emerged victorious in 17 seats, in which LDF candidates won unopposed in two seats. The election was held in Thiruvananthapuram corporation's Sree Varaham ward, two block panchayath wards, 3 municipality wards, and 24 panchayath wards.

LDF candidates won unopposed in the Kolikkunnu ward of Madikai panchayath and the Pallipara ward of Kayyur Cheemeni Panchayath. UDF stands at 12, and SDPI won one seat. BJP failed to secure at least one seat in the entire election.

In Grama Panchayath, out of 24 wards, 13 were won by LDF, UDF won 10 seats, and SDPI secured one seat. Pulincode ward in Poovachal panchayath, Daivamedu Ward in Vathikudy Panchayath, Panankara ward in Paingottoor Panchayath, Kumbazha North ward in Pathanamthitta municipality were wrested from UDF by LDF.

Thiruvananthapuram

LDF candidate V Harikumar won in the Sreevaraham ward of Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation. A by-election was conducted after the demise of CPI member K Vijayakumar. Harikumar secured 1353 votes and emerged victorious. R Mini (BJP) and B Suresh Kumar (UDF) were the opposition candidates.

In the Pangode Panchayat, the SDPI (Social Democratic Party of India) captured the Congress-held Pulippara ward. SDPI candidate Mujib Pulippara won by 674 votes, pushing the UDF (United Democratic Front) to third place. UDF candidate Sabina Kharim secured only 148 votes, while BJP's B S Ajayakumar got 39. Both the Congress and BJP experienced significant vote erosion in this ward. However, the LDF (Left Democratic Front) improved its vote share compared to the previous election. In 2020, CPI(M)'s A Akarsh won with 279 votes, but this time, LDF candidate T N Seema secured 448 votes, finishing second. The death of Congress member Abdul Karim necessitated the by-election.

In the Kochupalli ward of Karukulam Panchayat, the UDF won by 546 votes. Congress candidate Sevior Jeron emerged victorious. Kochupalli was previously an LDF-held ward.

In the Pulinkode ward of Poovachal Panchayat, the LDF wrested the seat from the Congress. LDF candidate Seyed Sabarmathi won the election. The by-election was necessitated after Congress member Ajilesh resigned following his appointment to a government job. The panchayat is currently governed by the LDF, with LDF holding nine seats, Congress 6, BJP 6, and an independent member.

Kollam

In the Kalluvathukkal division of Kottarakkara Municipality, CPI's Manju Sam won by 193 votes. The by-election was held following the death of CPI member Gracy Samuel. UDF's Lisy Alex and BJP's R Meenakumari were the opposing candidates. In the 29 divisions of the municipality, LDF holds 16 seats, UDF 8, and BJP 5.

LDF candidate Vatsamma Thomas won the Kottara division in Kottarakkara Block by a margin of 900 votes, defeating UDF's P C James. The by-election was held after the death of CPI M member G Thomas. BJP's K Rajan Nair was also in the fray. In the 13-ward block panchayat, LDF holds 11 seats and UDF 2.

UDF candidate Sheeja Dileep won the Padinjattinkara ward by 522 votes. The by-election was held following the death of Congress member Thulasibhaiyamma.

UDF retained the Anchal A division in the Anchal Block panchayath, with J S Muhammad Sherin winning by 3,256 votes. The by-election was held after Congress member A Sakir Hussain's death.

LDF candidate P Suraja Sishupalan won the Kochumammoodu ward in Kulashekharapuram Panchayat by 595 votes. The by-election was held after the death of CPI M member B Shyamala. UDF's Lala Rajan and BJP's Ajit Suresh were the opposing candidates. In the 23-ward panchayat, LDF holds 13 seats, UDF 7, and BJP 3.

LDF candidate Jayadevi won the Prayar South B ward in Clappana Panchayath by 277 votes. The by-election was held after the death of CPI M member M K Raju. The opposing candidates were UDF's Sunita Dilip and BJP's C V Shivakumar. LDF holds 11 seats in the panchayat, UDF 3, and BJP 1.

Pathanamthitta

LDF candidate Bijimol Mathew won the Kumbazha North ward in Pathanamthitta Municipality by three votes. Bijimol secured 285 votes, UDF's Soby Regi got 282 votes, and BJP's Priya Sathish got 53. The by-election was held after the death of Councilor Indiramaniyamma.

LDF candidate Shobika Gopi won the Galaxy Nagar ward in Puramattom panchayath by 152 votes. The by-election was held after the resignation of the panchayat member. UDF's Joyce Mathew got 168 votes, and NDA candidate Anumol got 97. The panchayat now has 6 LDF and 6 UDF members, with one ward's membership under court dispute.

UDF candidate Preetha B Nair won the Thadiyoor ward in Ayiroor by 106 votes. LDF candidate Lonisha Ullas got 237 votes, and BJP's S Asha got 97. The by-election was held after the panchayat member resigned. In the panchayat, CPI M holds six seats, BJP 5, UDF 5, and an independent member.

Alappuzha

LDF retained the Palodam ward in Kavalam Panchayath, with D Mangalanandan winning by 171 votes. UDF's A D Natesan got 242 votes, and BJP's A K Thankachan got 22. The by-election was held after the death of ward member P J Joshi. In the 13-member panchayat, CPI M holds five seats: CPI 1, Democratic Kerala Congress 2, Kerala Congress 3, and BJP 2.

UDF retained the Mithrakari East ward in Muttar Panchayat, with Bincy Shabu winning the by-election. The by-election was held after the Election Commission disqualified Lini Joly.

Kottayam

UDF retained the GV School ward in Ramapuram panchayat, with Rajita Shainu (Congress) winning by 235 votes. The by-election was held after Congress member Shaini Santhosh, who had joined the Kerala Congress (M), was disqualified. In the 18-member panchayat, UDF now holds eight seats, LDF 7, and BJP 3.

Idukki

LDF candidate Beena Biju (Kerala Congress -M) won the Daivammedu ward in Vathikudi Panchayat by seven votes. Beena secured 355 votes, Kerala Congress's Neethu Sunny got 348 votes, and NDA candidate Cicily Thomas (BJP) got 29. The by-election was held after panchayat president Sindhu Jose was disqualified. In the 18-ward panchayat, LDF and UDF are now tied with nine seats, respectively.

LDF Candidate Amal Raj Celebrates Victory with Supporters in Panankara Ward of Paingottor Panchayat

Ernakulam

Congress candidate K Merikutty Chacko retained the East High School ward in Muvattupuzha municipality, winning by 421 votes. The by-election was held after Congress member Prameela Girish Kumar was disqualified for defection. UDF holds 13 seats in the municipality, LDF 11, BJP 2, and Independents 2.

UDF candidate N M Naushad won the Methala South ward in Ashamannur Panchayath by 465 votes. The by-election was held after the death of CPI M member K K Mohanan.

UDF candidate Sujatha John won the Nirapp ward in Paipra panchayat by 629 votes. The by-election was held after CPI member Deepa Roy's resignation.

LDF candidate Amal Raj won the Panankara ward in the Paingottor panchayat by 166 votes. The by-election was held after Vice President Nisar Mohammed was disqualified. LDF and UDF tied in the panchayat, each with six seats.

Thrissur

LDF candidate Shaharban won the Manthoppu ward in Chowannur panchayat by 337 votes. UDF's Siji Geever got 268 votes, and BJP's Vinitha Shibi got 289. The by-election was held afterward member Bindu Mol resigned and got a government job.

Palakkad

CPI M candidate P B Prashobh won the Keezhpadam ward in Mundur panchayat by 346 votes. The by-election was held after the death of CPI M member P V Ramankutty. In the 18- ward panchayat, LDF holds 13 seats, BJP 3, and UDF 2.

Malappuram

UDF candidate K V Vipin won the Chakkittamala ward in Karulai panchayat by 397 votes. The by-election was held after the death of Congress ward member Karuvadan Sundaran. In the 15-member panchayat, UDF holds eight seats and LDF 7.

UDF candidate Unniyalukkal Abdul Jabbar won the Edakkulam East ward in Thirunavaya panchayath by 260 votes. The by-election was held after the ward member resigned and got a job abroad. In the 23-member panchayat, UDF holds 16 seats and LDF 7.

Kozhikode

UDF candidate Puthiyottil Ajayan won the Kunjallur ward in Purameri Panchayat by 20 votes. LDF's Adv. Vivek Kodungalloor Puzha was defeated. UDF secured 619 votes, LDF 599, and BJP 30.

Kannur

LDF candidate Sharnya Surendran won the Thazhe Chambad ward in Panniyannur Panchayat by 499 votes, defeating UDF's M V Abdulla. The by-election was held after the death of LDF panchayat president C K Ashokan. In the panchayat, LDF holds a majority.

Kasaragod

LDF candidate K Sukumaran won the Pallippara ward in Kadiyoor -Cheemeni Panchayat uncontested. The by-election was held after the death of panchayat president K P Valsalan.

CPI M candidate O Usha won the Kolikkunnu ward in Madikai Panchayat uncontested. The by-election was held after ward member P P Leela resigned and got a government job. LDF candidate Surya Gopalan won the Ayarot ward in Kodom-- Belur Panchayat by 100 votes. The by-election was held after ward member Bindu Krishnan resigned and got a government job.