Kalpetta: In the crucial by-election to Manthamkolly ward of Sulthan Bathery municipality in the district on Thursday, CPM candidate Shirly Krishnan won with a majority of 150 votes to beat the UDF candidate.
Victory in the election was crucial for the LDF which is ruling the newly-constituted municipality. If the UDF had won, the LDF would have lost its majority in the Sulthan Bathery municipality.
With the victory, in the 35-member civic body, the LDF now enjoys the support of 17 members whereas UDF has the support of 16 members.
After the election to local bodies in 2015, UDF and LDF bagged 17 members each while the BJP had won one seat. One more seat is also vacant in the body, the election to which is yet to be conducted.
LDF wrested power in 2015 when T.L. Sabu of Kerala Congress (M) switched over to LDF, bringing down the UDF strength to 16, and that of LDF to 18.
The crisis originated when Sobhana Janardhanan of Karivallikunnu ward died and another member Sobin Varghese resigned as he received placement as college lecturer.
