LDF makes strides in IUML stronghold

MALAPPURAM: Though an easy win was not expected for the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the Vengara Assembly bypoll, it has made an historic stride as its vote share transcended the majority figure of rival UDF for the first time since the inception of the Assembly segment in 2008.  The LDF candidate and CPM leader P. P Basheer bagged 41,916 votes in the byelection with an increase of 7,792 votes as compared to the LDF vote share of 34,124 votes in the 2016 Assembly elections.

The vote shares of the three Assembly elections held so far in the constituency show that the LDF has improved its vote share steadily and considerably over the years. In 2011, it bagged 24,901 votes which grew to 34,124 in 2016. This has now leapfrogged to 41,916. At the same time, the Lok Sabha elections in 2009, 2014 and a bypoll this year have witnessed some tectonic shifts in LDF's vote share in the Muslim dominant constituency. 

LDF had bagged 33,471 votes from Vengara Assembly segment in 2009. The vote share declined to mere 17,691 votes during the Lok Sabha election in 2014, primarily after a woman candidate, P. K. Sainaba was fielded against the powerful rival candidate, late E. Ahmed. However, the LDF could regain the lost ground in the Lok Sabha byelection held in April this year, garnering 33,275 votes. The Left has further improved its position bagging 8641 additional votes in the bypoll this time. 

"The LDF has emerged as a true winner in Vengara. The IUML has lost huge chunk of its majority, vote share and influence among the voters while the LDF gained on all accounts. Secular voters have rallied behind the Left shunning the communal forces of all hues," CPM district secretary P.P Vasudevan said while commenting on the achievement.