THE Left Democratic Front has registered an emphatic victory in the by-elections held on August 12 for various local bodies. The LDF has wrested 18 seats out of 26. The UDF got only eight seats. The LDF’s victory spree spread in almost all districts from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur. LDF candidates won by huge margin in most of the seats, while it lost two seats by single digit margin.

The UDF’s rule in Kolayad panchayat in Kannur district and Maranallur panchayat in Thiruvananthapuram district has been handed over to the LDF after its victory in Alacheriy, Kottampally ward in respective panchayats. The LDF wrested Kottampally seat in Maranallur where the BJP had won last time. In 2010 elections, the UDF won Kolayad panchayat by toss, as both the fronts had won seven seats each.

In Alappuzha district, Chengannur municipality 23rd ward has been won by LDF candidate Rajan by 175 votes and Devikulangara panchayat’s Anjilimood ward has been won by CPI(M) candidate Srilatha Thampi by 195 votes. In Malappuram district, CPI(M) candidate Ayesha Begum won Azhimugham ward in Purathur panchayat and Party candidate K P Krishnan won Valamathur ward in Mangalam panchayat.

In Thrissur district, wards in Punnayurkulam and Deshamangalam have been won by the UDF while wards Puthur and Annamanada panchayats have been won by the LDF. In Palakkad district, one each seat in Vadakarapathi, Nelliyampathi, Ambalappara panchayaths have been won by the LDF. In Kozhikode, one seat in Edacheri has been won by the LDF. In Idukki, two seats have been won by the LDF candidates, defeating the common candidate of the Congress and the BJP. In Pathnamthitta district, the  LDF and the UDF have won one seat each.  In Kottayam and Eranakulam, the UDF won one seat each. The LDF candidate in Thiruvalla municipality won the UDF sitting seat.