Thiruvananthapuram :In byelections to local self-government institutions, LDF overturned UDF’s longstanding sway over Thillankery and Kalamassery. In winning, LDF shocked UDF with victory over the sole District Panchayat Division that went to polls, namely Kannur Thillankery Division where bypolls were held following death of prior candidate.
Thillankery
In Thillankery Division of Kannur District, CPI(M) District Committee member Adv Binoi Kurien emerged victor, defeating UDF’s Linda James by over 7000 votes. Overall voting figured at 32,356 of which, Binoi Kurien secured 18,524 votes, Linda James 11650, NJP candidate K Jayprkash 1329; Linda Babu - 419; Michael 99.
This hilly panchayat was one of UDF’s bigtime fortress up to now. This time around however, LDF made incursions into nearly all UDF strongholds and it is the first time ever that LDF won the hitherto UDF’s fortress of Ayamkunnu Panchayat.
Local body polls had been postponed for Thillankery owing to death of previously nominated UDF candidate. With Thillanery victory, LDF upped its score to 17 the 24-seat Kannur District Panchayat.
Kalamassery
In ward-37 of Kalamassery panchayat, LDF made sweeping victory of League’s traditional stronghold. LDF candidate 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.
Alappuzha
In Chettikulangara panchayat of Alappuzha district LDF made clean sweep of the 7th ward. In the win, candidate Rohit M Pillai defeated Congress’s K Varghese by 464 votes. The ward is presently a LDF-incumbent one. NDA candidate Roshan secured 182 votes here. In the panchayat, LDF secured 13 seats, BJP 6 and UDF 1.
Kollam
UDF won Paramukh ward of Kollam’s Pannuna grama panchayat. Its candidate Nouhal won there with 323 votes. UDF also won Chola ward, where its candidate Anilkumar won by 70 votes.
Kozhikode
In 16th ward of Kozhikode’s Mavoor grama panchayat , UDF retained its seat with Congress candidate KC Vasanthy winning there by 27 votes. The victory lend UDF with majority in Mavoor panchayat.
Thrissur
UDF won Pulari Division in Thrissur corporation. congress candidate K Ramanathan secured 998 to secure victory defeating independent candidate Adv Marathil Ramankutty. With this the seat status at corporation stands at 24 for each front.
