Victory for UDF in Kerala Local Body By-Poll, Set Back for LDF

Thiruvananthapuram: The ruling LDF in Kerala suffered a setback in the local body by-elections held in 31 local body wards across the state.

The UDF won in 17, the LDF in 11, and the BJP in three wards. The LDF is set to lose its rule in three panchayats which the UDF has wrested. The LDF will lose power in the following panchayats; Thachanpara in Palakkad, Nattikka in Thrissur, and Karimannoor in Idukki district.

Kerala PCC president K Sudhakaran said the results reflected the people's anger against the government at the grassroots level.

"There is widespread discontentment against the LDF misrule in the state. People are at the receiving end and their anger is reflected in the local body election by-poll results, " he said.

Sudhakaran pointed out that in the by-elections held in 31 local self-government wards in the state, the UDF wrested nine wards from the LDF and won 17 seats.

The LDF leadership, however, maintained that the byelections were held on local issues. They said the victory in the recent Chelakkara assembly by-poll indicated there was no anti-incumbency against the government.

The LDF leaders said the ruling front wrested sitting seats of UDF in Kollam, Thevalakkara, Naduvilakkara and Kallada panchayat.

Many in the LDF believe that the defeat in the polls is a timely wake-up call for the ruling front to put their house in order as the local body polls in Kerala are scheduled to be held next year.