Kerala civic polls: UDF suffers setback, BJP makes inroads


Updated

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 7 (PTI): Ruling Congress-led UDF in Kerala today suffered a setback in the civic elections, billed as the semifinal ahead of next year's assembly polls, as CPI-M -led LDF won a majority of local bodies while BJP made inroads improving its performance.

According to the results of the two-phased polls to the three-tier civic bodies held on November 2 and 5, LDF took control of four of the six city corporations, as many as 45 of the 86 municipalities and was way ahead in grama panchayats bagging 545 of the 941 at stake.

With UDF winning only two corporations, 40 municipalities and 366 grama panchayats, the Left front and BJP were quick to demand the resignation of Chief Minister Ommen Chandy, who led the ruling front's campaign.

BJP, which has so far failed to taste success in assembly and Parliament elections in the state, won one municipality and 14 grama panchayats, but made significant inroads in several places especially Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Palakkad, posing stiff threat to both UDF and LDF.

BJP President Amit Shah's 'political agenda' in Kerala to have cooperation with Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, an outfit of backward Ezhava community led by its general secretary Vellappaly Natesan seems to have paid off.

Dealing a major blow to both UDF and LDF in the prestigious 100-member Thiruvananthauram Corporation, BJP wrested 34 wards, pushing UDF to third spot with 21 seats. LDF, which held the Corporation for the last two decades, won 42 wards, short of a simple majority.

BJP's improvememnt is significant as it had won only six wards in the last polls.

LDF retained Kollam and Kozhikode corporations and emerged the single largest party in Thiruvanthapuram and Thrissur, a Congress bastion, while UDF held on to Kochi and took control of the newly formed Kannur corporation, as per results declared by the State Election Commission.

In the 14 district panchayats, LDF and UDF shared seven each while in the block level LDF was leading in 89 panchayats and UDF in 62 with others one.

The outcome of the civic poll assumes significance as the ruling front was hoping to perform well overcoming the mounting attack of political rivals over the bar bribery case in which an FIR has been filed against State Finance Minister K M Mani.

The results are also widely seen as a blow to Chandy who had throughout the campaign maintained that the outcome would be a referendum on the performance of his four-and-a-half-year old government.

Reacting to the outcome, senior Congress leader A K Antony said he was not shocked by the results but "saddened by the unexpected defeat".

As far LDF is concerned, the verdict comes as a morale booster before next year's assembly polls, especially after its poor showing in the Lok Sabha elections last year when UDF won 12 of the 20 seats.

Hailing the LDF victory, CPI-M veteran V S Achuthanandan and CPI-M state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said it was a verdict against the UDF government.

"It is a strong reaction of the people of the state against corruption," Balakrishnan said referring to the bar bribery scam allegedly involving state Finance Minister K M Mani.

Accepting the poll outcome, KPCC President V M Sudheeran said party would examine the reasons for the Front's setback and take corrective steps.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala wanted a "deep introspection" into the failure and said "superficial corrective measures will not do. What is needed is a deep- rooted treatment'.

Expressing happiness over its impressive performance, BJP State President V Muraleedharan said the verdict was a "fitting reply" to those who had written off his party.

Elections were held to 21,905 wards in six corporations, 941 gram panchayats, 86 municipalities, 152 block panchayats and 14 district panchayats and the votes were counted today.

  

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Comment on this article

  • AH, mlore

    Sun, Nov 08 2015

    where is the inroads ? they won only 13 panchayats out 0f 947 . That is 1.5 % .

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajesh, Udupi

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    It is funny to read the immature comments of chaddiless that bjp is not winning.. the title itself says bjp is making inroads.. winning is not in the near future which anyone with little political knowledge knows... but the celebration of chaddiless makes me wonder whether they will celebrate BJP defeat after US elections also?

    DisAgree [4] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • N.M, Mangalore

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    BJP's performance is overhyped...just a petty 15 seats...up from 5 last time.

    whereas LDF and UDF have solid domination in the civic polls.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • j.anata, Mangaluru / Bengaluru

    Sun, Nov 08 2015

    Na Mo, BJP's march in Kerala is remarkable! From a paltry 4-6% fight, now they've moved up to 20plus in this elections. Imagine this, getting 34 seats in Trivandrum Corporation, up from 6 last time & Coming second in 25 seats again out of 100 seats in indeed stunning.

    Not only that, they've broken through in all 14 districts in the State even winning in Malappuram, a Muslim dominated district. Palakkad, Kasaragod & Trivandrum set new records. Even the CPM, Congress leaders of Kerala HAVE ACKNOWLEGED BJP as a challenger, but you seem to stick to your one sided comments

    Please wake up to REALITY!! See the early trends in Bihar, it's an NDA SWEEP

    DisAgree [2] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mahendra Shetty, Mumbai Mangalore

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    NOW THE GOD OWN STATE LSO KNOWS ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, CHOR PARTY AND AND ANTI NATIONAL PARTY LOOTED ENOUGH NOW THE TIME COME TO THROW THESE PEOPLE , THAT'S WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW.............

    DisAgree [46] Agree [52] Reply Report Abuse

  • A. S. Mathew, U.S.A.

    Sun, Nov 08 2015

    Mr. Shetty: The population of
    Kerala is 34040350. How many votes went to the BJP? So, by getting some seats in certain parts of Kerala, don't be too jubilant.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jaimini P.B., Manipal,Sharjah

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    Congress swapa swalpavagi nashisi hogta ide...Leaders illa,matte hyage yuvakaru Congress sertare ? BJP panchajanya molagista ide..Naale Biharnalloo nimage Panchajanyada molagu kelisa bahudu..Kivigottu keli..Intolerance anta bobbe hodedu,award hinturigisi yenoo prayojana illa..(Award maatra vaapas kotru..Duddu pocketnalle untu..haaa haa)

    DisAgree [24] Agree [33] Reply Report Abuse

  • krishna, canada

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    Award LA pond. .. bihar LA pond.. oyi MA. . Congress LA pondu. . Loss mare

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • ABD, LOS ANGELES

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    CONGRESS MUKTH BHARAT ON PROCESS..
    !!!

    DisAgree [37] Agree [43] Reply Report Abuse

  • krish, Dubai

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    leave "LEFT" and "RIGHT"
    one more scam from Anjaneya and his wife exposd today.
    First govt gave "ANNA BHAGYA" then anjaneya started "OWN BHAGYA"

    DisAgree [18] Agree [43] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ramesh S, mangalore

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    ..Under SONIA/RAHUL leadership, Congress happy only in targeting MODI..they get satisfaction if APP wins Delhi/RJD win BIHAR, they are not concerned about their win, thats root cause why Congress revival not happening..the way President/VP conducting after LS election, there is no chance of revival in near future..they are frustrated that they couldnt make UPA3 and all eyes on next LS election which is 3 year ahead and they cant see anything other than LS election & forming central Govt..Instead targetting MODI on price rise etc they boycotted YOGA, spread misinformation of Christmas holiday & BEEF, supported pro-congress on fake intolerance enviornment..these blunders going to cost them in next election for sure..Congress should know that if it opposes BJP/MODI they wont be called as sickular/anti nationalist but if they boycot YOGA, oppose Cow slaughter (their own law) etc to oppose MODI it will have ramification..

    DisAgree [19] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • CONRAD JOHN TAURO, SHIRVA/UDUPI/DUBAI

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    Left is right in results...

    DisAgree [3] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur, Puttur / Mangalore

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    Most of the voters of CPI and CPIM are Hindus. Suppose the communist party goes down BJP comes up because communist Hindus are voting for BJP and not for congress. Hence to prevent BJP from politics, it is better communists take over.

    KERALA RULE IS ONE YEAR CONGRESS ANOTHER YEAR COMMUNIST,

    WE DON'T WANT COW GOVERNMENT'S CATTLE CLASS GOVERNANCE

    DisAgree [67] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur, Puttur, Mangalore

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    BJP is badly beaten.

    As of now the results are:

    Party Gram Panchayat Block Panchayat District Panchayat Municipality Municipal Corporation

    Total 941 152 14 87 6
    LDF 540 90 7 44 4
    UDF 366 61 7 41 2
    Others 14 1 0 0 0
    BJP 14 0 0 1 0

    Not as much bad for congress. For the next state elections congress will recover fully.

    BJP HAS BITTEN THE DUST IN KERALA

    DisAgree [49] Agree [34] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur, Puttur / Mangalore

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    The final results of BJP

    Gram Panchayat - 11

    And Muncipality - 1

    Rest all is a big ZEEEEEEERRRRRRRROOOOOOOOS

    This will bite the dust in the next Kerala state Assembly elections.

    DisAgree [49] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • John Tauro, M'luru / Kwt

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    What do you say about BJP's rise from a mere 6 to an astonishing 34 in the state capital Trivandrum?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Report Abuse

  • j.anata, Mangaluru / Bengaluru

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    Please wake up from your slumber!! Wake up to Reality, Lotus BLOOMS in KERALA!!!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Report Abuse

  • j.anata, Mangaluru / Bengaluru

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    Cry, try, fry, Lotus blooms in Kerala

    Utter inner frustrations very high as Dongi Congress loses 2nd position to BJP in most Corporations in Kerala

    12.5% Vote share remarkable, sterling performance by BJP in Trivandrum, winning 34 seats out of 100, relegating Dongis to 19 seats!!!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mahendra Shetty, Mumbai Mangalore

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    IN NEXT ASSEMBLY ELECTION IN KERALA BJP WILL REPLACE CHOR PARTY AND LEFT, DAY BY DAY BJP IS GAINING IN KERALA..........................

    DisAgree [46] Agree [59] Reply Report Abuse

  • AK, Mlore

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    Kerala is Gods own country . To prevent communal BJP the communists are voting even for Muslim League in Kerala. This happened in Manjeshwar Constituency few years back .In next election I expect Muslim league voters to vote for CPM in Manjeshwar .

    DisAgree [27] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajesh, Udupi

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    Look who is talking... you say, to stop communal bjp they voted muslim league? the party name alone is not enough to call who is communal to the core? funny yaar

    DisAgree [3] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • JOY CASTELINO, MOODUBELLE/DUBAI

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    Hope Same result will repeat in 2016 Assembly election also!!!!!!

    DisAgree [24] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • KRPrabhu, B'luru

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    Raddala onje....
    Apna ghar mein kaam nahi...doosronke ghar jaa kar kaam karna pdtha hai!
    Inquilab zindabad...

    DisAgree [7] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • jeevan, mangalore

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    Congi mukth Kerala..
    BJP make inroads.....
    Thanks Amith Shahji....

    DisAgree [56] Agree [65] Reply Report Abuse

  • Harry DSOUZA, KODAGU / MANGALORE

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    HIS NAME IS AMITH SHAH YOU MADE HIM AMITH SHAHJI COMMON MALAYALI NAME!

    DisAgree [25] Agree [38] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    As usual Congress & BJP Ki Dulhai ...

    DisAgree [62] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mahendra Shetty, Mumbai Mangalore

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    NO BJP, YOUR CHOR PARTYS DULAHI ALL OVER INDIA.....

    DisAgree [33] Agree [59] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr. Shankarnarayan, Mangaluru/Abu Dhabi

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    Mr.Jossey Saldanha,

    Its only Cong Dulhai not BJP. First time in History BJP has entered in Kerala. Remarkably it has gained entry in to Calicut which is UDF strong hold. BJP vote sharing % has increased considerably.

    DisAgree [18] Agree [55] Reply Report Abuse

  • krish, Dubai

    Sat, Nov 07 2015

    Dear Jossy,
    Arrey karnataka mein Mr. & Mrs. anjaneyappa "Dulhai Bhagya" and "scam Bhagya" ek saath shuru kiya.

    in 1st scam his wife took 7 Lakh,
    u are always asking 15 lakh rit. now only 8 lakh pending for you.

    hahaha

    DisAgree [10] Agree [39] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Kerala civic polls: UDF suffers setback, BJP makes inroads



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