Steephan Kayyar

Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod

Kasargod, May 4: Riding on a strong anti-incumbency wave, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) showcased a stellar performance in Kasargod district by clinching four out of the five assembly seats. The results marked a historic resurgence for the Congress party, which managed to capture two seats in the district after several decades.

While the UDF emerged victorious in Manjeshwar, Kasargod, Uduma, and Thrikaripur, the LDF managed to retain only the Kanhangad constituency.

Manjeshwar: Record margin for AKM Ashraf

In the high-profile Manjeshwar constituency, UDF candidate AKM Ashraf of the Muslim League secured a massive victory, defeating his nearest rival, BJP state president K Surendran, by a margin of 29,252 votes. Ashraf polled 96,948 votes, while Surendran secured 67,696 votes and LDF’s KR Jayananda received 21,212 votes.

Ashraf maintained a lead in all 17 rounds of EVM counting, eventually surpassing the previous record margin of 13,188 set by Cherkalam Abdullah in 2001. For K Surendran, who had lost by a narrow margin of 745 votes in 2021, this result came as a significant setback.

Kasargod: UDF retains stronghold

The Kasargod constituency remained with the UDF as Muslim League candidate Kallatra Mahin Haji defeated BJP’s Ashwini ML by a margin of 22,698 votes. LDF candidate Shahnavaz Padoor stood third with 36,678 votes.

Uduma: Congress returns after 37 years

In a major upset, Congress candidate K Neelakantan defeated sitting CPM MLA CH Kunhambu by 4,847 votes. This victory brings the Uduma seat back to the Congress fold after a gap of 37 years. Neelakantan secured 78,910 votes against Kunhambu’s 74,063, while NDA’s Manulal M received 26,899 votes.

Thrikaripur: Historic win for Sandeep Varier

Thrikaripur witnessed a historic shift as Congress candidate Sandeep Varier defeated LDF’s VPP Mustafa by 4,431 votes. This marks the first time in 60 years that the Congress has won this CPM stronghold. Varier, who joined the Congress from the BJP a year and a half ago, successfully bridged the 26,137-vote deficit seen in the previous election to enter the Assembly in his debut attempt.

Kanhangad: LDF’s lone saving grace

The LDF managed to hold onto the Kanhangad seat, where CPI candidate Govindan Pallikkapil defeated UDF’s Shaiji Ottappalli of the Kerala Congress by 15,316 votes. NDA candidate M Balraj secured 27,063 votes.