THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With no party gaining a simple majority, the LDF which has won 42 of the 100 seats will stake claim to form a council in the corporation here. In an unprecedented show, the BJP made the biggest gains by winning 34 seats compared to six in the last elections. The UDF could win only 21 seats and had to be content with the third place.
The BJP caused cracks in CPM bastions as 23 of the seats it won were snatched from the LDF. Most of these wards are in the heart of the city. The CPM alleged that the UDF had traded its votes with the BJP in more than 22 city wards which reflected in the low votes polled by Congress candidates.“In Chalai, where BJP candidate (S.K.P. Ramesh) got 2,796 votes, the Congress got just 283. In Sreevarahom, where the BJP (Mini) won with 1,630 votes, Congress got just 341. The Congress will not get such low votes unless a vote trade has happened,” said CPM district secretary Kadakampally Surendran.
Meanwhile, UDF’s mayoral candidate Maheshwaran Nair, who lost in Mudavanmugal to LDF candidate Gopakumar for 3,414 votes, said that group rivalry had cost the UDF dear.“In most wards, candidates could not properly cover all the houses. Efficient candidates could not get seats as their rival group opposed their candidature. It’s time for the Congress for a self-introspection and revival before the Assembly elections,” said Mr Nair.
The CPM managed to hold on to most of its traditional bastions around Kazhakoottam, including Kattayikonam, Edavakkodu and Chempazhanthy. The BJP captured Attipra in this belt (Suni Chandran) whereas the UDF won a few wards such as Cheruvakkal, Nalanchira, Kudappanakkunnu, Kowdiar and Kurvanjonam.
The LDF won some prestigious wards like Palayam, Vazhuthacaud, Kunnukuzhy, Peroorkada, Thampanoor and Muttathara. Coastal wards were mostly in favour of the UDF with a few seats like Shangumughom going to the LDF.
Download the all new Deccan Chronicle app for Android and iOS to stay up-to-date with latest headlines and news stories in politics, entertainment, sports, technology, business and much more from India and around the world.
