LDF and UDF split gains in Palakkad local bypolls
The Left Democratic Front and United Democratic Front shared the results in seven local-body bypolls in Kerala’s Palakkad district. Each front retained its existing seats while taking one ward from the other, and the closest contest was decided by a draw after the leading candidates polled identical totals.
The Left Democratic Front and United Democratic Front shared the gains in seven local-body byelections held in Palakkad district, with each front retaining its existing seats and taking one ward from the other. In Paruthikkavu ward of Chittur-Thattamangalam municipality, CPI(M) candidate V. Thulasidharan won after he and Congress candidate K.
Madhu each received 433 votes. The result was decided by a draw. BJP candidate Pramod R.
Gopal received 28 votes. The LDF retained the Pallassana division of the Palakkad district panchayat. CPI(M) candidate Ponnukkuttyan polled 21,419 votes, against 10,823 for Congress candidate Pratheesh Madhavan and 3,856 for NDA candidate L.
Nirmal Kumar. The LDF’s margin rose to 10,596 votes from 7,085 in the previous election. The Left also won Athipotta division of Alathur block panchayat, which had been held by the UDF.
CPI(M) candidate Rekha Santhosh received 3,538 votes, defeating Indian Union Muslim League candidate A. Roobiya, who polled 2,748. BJP candidate Vrinda received 1,061 votes.
The LDF majority was 790. The UDF captured Ragam Corner ward of Sreekrishnapuram grama panchayat from the LDF. Congress candidate P.
Girishan received 504 votes, compared with 456 for CPI(M) candidate M. Babu and 127 for BJP candidate T. Shambasivan.
The UDF won by 48 votes, reversing the CPI(M)’s 43-vote margin in the previous election. The LDF retained Ward 9 of Pattanchery grama panchayat. LDF-backed independent Bindukumari received 533 votes, ahead of Congress candidate Sukanya Radhakrishnan on 515 and BJP candidate B.
Shalini on 21. The margin was 18 votes, compared with two votes previously. The UDF retained Ward 13, Vettam, in Karimba grama panchayat.
IUML candidate A.A. Abdul Jaleel secured 692 votes against 357 for CPI(M) candidate Mohammed Ashraf and 187 for BJP candidate O.R. Sivan.
The margin increased to 335 from 327. The LDF also retained Hemambika Nagar division of Malampuzha block panchayat by 827 votes. The bypolls followed resignations or deaths of sitting members, including vacancies created by a government appointment, a resignation and the deaths of elected representatives.
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