LDF Wave in Kerala, BJP Opened Account

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: cpm
As the counting of votes started in Kerala, CPM-led Left Democratic Front has gained a clear edge over the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front. The LDF won 91 seats. The UDF won 47 seats and NDA in one. Independent candidate P C George was elected from Poonjar.
The LDF is poised for a virtual sweep in Kannur, Thrissur, Alappuzha and Kollam districts, the strongholds of LDF. The LDF has also managed to make inroads into the UDF strongholds of Ernakulam and Malappuram. Ministers Shibu Baby John, K Babu, K P Mohanan, P K Abdurubb, speaker N Sakthan lost in the battle.
K M Mani, who has been winning from Pala for last 50 years, has won this time also. P K Kunahalikutty was declared elected.
At the same time, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan, CPM leaders Pinarayi Vijayan, Thomas Issac have gained comfortable margin over their rivals.

The focus of CPM is now on who in the party will head the government. During the campaign, Left Democratic Front (LDF) did not project any leader as the chief ministerial candidate and had said it would be decided after the polls.
Probable candidates are Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan and politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan – have both got elected with a thumping majority. CPM the party leadership will meet in a day or two to elect its legislature party leader and it would be conveyed to the LDF partners, including CPI, NCP and JD(S).
CPI said CPM would take a decision on the next chief minister of the state.
93-year-old Achuthanandan, popular among the masses, contested from Malampuzha in Palakkad district, while 71-year-old Vijayan, who enjoys considerable clout in the state CPM, from Dharmadam in Kannur.