Chengannur (Kerala) May 31 (IANS): Communist party of India-Maxist candidate Saji Cherian won the Chengannur Assembly bypoll in Kerala with a record margin of over 18,000 votes, a poll official said.

The bypolls necessitated by the death of sitting CPI-M MLA K.K. Ramachandran Nair, was held on May 28.

Celebrations have already begun at the CPI-M candidate's residence with sweets being distributed. His wife came out and thanked the electorate.

Cherian said that it's a reward for his four-decade of active public life. "My party has been the source of my strength and this is a really good victory. It is a stamp of approval for the ruling Pinarayi Vijayan government," said Cherian.

Cherian was able to get a firm hold in more than 95 per cent of the booths where vote counting was underway.

Congress candidate D. Vijayakumar was in the second position followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party's Pillai, who has been fielded again. "I had told soon after the elections that the Left has purchased votes, and all that can be seen now," said Pillai.

Voting for the seat took place on Monday.