'LDF Didn't Achieve Expected Results': Kerala CM's First Statement After Setback In Local Body Polls

In his first remarks since the Kerala local body poll results were announced, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan acknowledged that the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) did not achieve the expected results, and the reasons will be studied in detail.

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has scripted a decisive win in the Kerala local body polls, even as the LDF suffered a setback. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) made a historic win in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, where it secured its first-ever win.

The final results of the local body polls, which were held in two phases in the state earlier this week, came as a huge setback for the LDF, which lost control of four out of the five municipal corporations where it

was in power. Kozhikode Corporation remains the only major consolation for the LDF as it heads towards a victory with a lead in 35 of the 76 divisions.

“The Left Democratic Front did not achieve the expected results in the local self-government elections. Although it was expecting a great victory across the state, it has not been able to make such progress. The reasons for this will be examined in detail, necessary corrections will be made, and we will move forward,” Vijayan said.

Vijayan On BJP’s Gains

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made a significant breakthrough in the Kerala capital by emerging as the single largest party in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation election, clinching the seat from the LDF after 45 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it a “watershed moment”.

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Vijayan called the NDA’s victory and the influence of communalism in the election “worrying” for those who believed in secularism. “This election result is a warning that people need to be more vigilant so that they do not fall prey to the evil propaganda and cunning tactics of communal forces. This result also underlines the need to continue the fight against all forms of communalism more vigorously,” he added.

The CM assured that the LDF will examine all matters in detail and will work with commitment to increase public support for the development and welfare projects of the ruling party.

The latest State Election Commission trends show the Congress-led UDF leading in 7,669 gram panchayat wards, 1,137 block panchayat wards, 90 district panchayat wards, 1,458 municipal wards and 187 corporation wards, followed by the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) leading in 6,308 gram panchayat wards, 878 block panchayat wards, 43 district panchayat wards, 1,100 municipal wards and 125 corporation wards.

The BJP-led NDA is leading in 1,392 gram panchayat wards, 53 block panchayat wards, one district panchayat ward, 324 municipal wards and 93 corporation wards, while other parties and independents accounted for 1,260 gram panchayat wards, 48 block panchayat wards, one district panchayat ward, 323 municipal wards and 15 corporation wards.