Kochi: Counting has begun for local body byelections held in 7 wards in the state and in a record of 25 years, LDF made a clean sweep of Kalamassery’s 37th Ward, where its candidate Rafeeqh Maraykar won with majority of 64 votes. The ward had been a UDF stronghold before.
Rafeeq defeated League candidate Sameel who contested on UDF ticket. Rafeeq secured 308 and Sameel 244. The UDF rebel candidate secured 207 votes and BJP candidate 13. The seat had become vacant after independent candidate Thelliyil J Mathew’s demise.
Candidates contesting across 42 wards of Kalamassery municipality figured at : UDF 19; LDF 18; UDF Rebels 2; Independent 1, BJP 1. In the election for Chairperson, the winners were deadlocked at 20-20 after one independent candidate and a UDF rebel backed LDF. Following this, UDF secured the chair after draw of lots.
