By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent,
Malappuram: United Democratic Front is making big gains in the Kerala local body polls. Counting of votes began today morning and the results as of now show a great dip for the LDF which had always kept a high profile in panchayat elections.
The UDF and the LDF won two corporations each. The UDF won 39 municipalities and the LDF won 18. Counting is going on in the district, block and village panchayats. According to the latest reports, the UDF is leading in eight district panchayats, 65 block panchayats and 393 village panchayats whereas the LDF is leading in five district panchayats, 68 block panchayats and 372 village panchayats.
The UDF has managed to capture the Kochi and Thrissur corporations, which had been with the LDF. The LDF won Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam corporations. Votes will be counted only on 31st in Kozhikode district. UDF won in Kochi after a gap of three decades.
The Muslim League made thumping victory in the party’s stronghold Malappuram district. Party general secretary PK Kunhalikkutty reportedly said that the election results were the sign of the end of the CPI (M) in Kerala as in Bengal. The UDF won in six municipalities while both fronts won 17 seats each in the Perinathalmanna municipality.
The Social Democratic Party of India registered its presence in the local body polls by winning a ward each in five municipalities. SDPI candidates won in Kannur (Sufeera – majority -325), Thodupuzha (Subaida Teacher- majority 310), Pathanamthitta (S Shailaja – majority 244), Palakkad and Kasargode.
The Janakeeya Vikasana Munnani sponsored by the Jamat e Islami won a few seats in municipalities and village panchayats.
Elections were held in two phases on Saturday and Monday. The counting in all districts but for Kozhikode began today morning at 8. The votes in Kozhikode district will be counted on 31st.