Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 2 (IANS): Former defence minister A.K. Antony said here on Monday there is no alternative to the Congress-led UDF in Kerala, and added it will emerge victorious in the polls to the state's civic bodies.

Voting was underway in the first phase of the state's civic body polls in seven districts.

"Elections mean a choice between various parties and today the scene is such that there is no alternative to the Congress-led UDF...I am supremely confident that the United Democratic Front (UDF) will register a thumping win," Antony said after casting his vote.

"With regard to the Left opposition here, they have been on a slide and the UDF is on a strong wicket because there has been a huge support from the youth and women voters," Antony said.

"The development agenda of the Oommen Chandy government has worked wonders. I have been in the state for a while and I could sense that people are behind the Chandy government," he added.

The Congress-led UDF holds power in about 65 percent of the local bodies in the state.