Chelakkara assembly by-poll: CPM defies anti-incumbency trend with remarkable victory
Thiruvanthapuram: CPM-led LDF candidate U R Pradeep achieved a remarkable victory in the Chelakkara assembly by-election, providing significant relief to the Pinarayi Vijayan government.
U R Pradeep secured 64,259 votes, defeating his closest rival Remya Haridas of the Congress led UDF , by a margin of 12,201 votes. The Congress candidate garnered 52,137 votes.
The BJP candidate, K Balakrishnan, also had a strong showing, securing 33,354 votes. The BJP increased its vote share by 9309 votes compared to 2021 assembly elections.
Although the Left's victory margin decreased by 27,199 votes compared to the 2021 assembly elections, the Left leadership maintained that the victory confirmed the absence of any anti-incumbency sentiment.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the victory in Chelakkara will bolster the popular support and approval of the LDF government. "The people have delivered a resounding victory to the Left Democratic Front in the Chelakkara constituency, disregarding the organized propaganda and attacks," he said.
He said the LDF secured a secular vote against all forms of communalism. The election results send a clear message about the necessity to confront communalism and maintain secular politics uncompromisingly.
Pinarayi indicated that the election outcomes demonstrate that the anti-incumbency campaign did not sway the electorate in the least. In Palakkad, the LDF garnered more votes than in previous elections. This mandate is expected to invigorate the continuation of development and welfare initiatives with greater vigor in the future, he said.
The chief minister said although the UDF managed to hold onto Palakkad with the support of communal forces, the LDF candidate's vote count saw an increase from previous numbers. The BJP is unlikely to establish a lasting presence in Kerala. Barring temporary gains, as witnessed by their victory in Thrissur during the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has not been able to make strong inroads.
CPM central committee member K Radhakrishnan remarked that the triumph in Chelakkara signifies the onset of the LDF's campaign to secure power for a third consecutive term in 2026. The electorate has endorsed their governance for another term.
Congress general secretary K C Venugopal countered the chief minister’s claim that there was no anti-incumbency in Chelakkara. “The vote share of CPM has come down from 82,000 to 62,000 votes and they are saying there was no anti-incumbency factor,” he said.
