Thiruvananthapuram, May 04: The Congress-led UDF surged ahead in Kerala on Monday as counting of votes for the April 9 Assembly elections gathered pace, with early trends showing a clear advantage for the opposition alliance in lines with exit poll predictions.
After the first few rounds of counting, the United Democratic Front was leading in 100 of the 140 Assembly seats, while the CPI(M)-led ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) was ahead in just in 40 constituencies.
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was leading in only one seat, according to television reports.
If the Left loses Kerala, the party would be left with no Indian state where it would be in the ruling saddle.
The trends also indicated setbacks for the ruling front, with at least a dozen ministers trailing in their respective constituencies. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was behind in Dharmadam, his traditional stronghold in Kannur district, in the initial rounds.
Among other ministers facing early deficits were Veena George, M B Rajesh, O R Kelu, R Bindhu, J Chinchurani, P Rajeev, K B Ganesh Kumar, V N Vasavan, V Sivankutty, V Abdurahiman, Kadannappally Ramachandran A K Saseendran and Roshy Augustine.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan was also trailing in his sitting seat of Perambra in Kozhikode district, according to television reports.
Anti-incumbency appears to have played a significant role against the CPI(M)-led government, which has been in power for two successive terms under Vijayan.
Voters in several constituencies seemed to express discontent with the incumbent administration, amid repeated allegations from the opposition regarding corruption and charges of nepotism in governance.
The UDF also appears to have benefited from a consolidation of minority votes in many regions, which traditionally act as a decisive bloc in Kerala’s electoral politics.
Additionally, the Congress campaign, led nationally by top party leader Rahul Gandhi, focused heavily on welfare assurances, including targeted outreach to women voters through promises linked to financial support and social security, which may have resonated in the early trends.
If the current leads translate into results, it could mark the end of a decade-long rule by Vijayan and the LDF government in the state.
Such an outcome would be politically significant, not only because the Left was attempting to secure a rare third consecutive term, but also because it would signal a shift in Kerala’s electoral pattern, which has historically seen power alternate between the LDF and the UDF.
In a significant development, Congress veteran and Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan was trailing in North Paravoor constituency, where CPI(M) candidate E T Tyson had taken an early lead. However, Satheesan recovered as counting progressed in areas favourable to the national party.
Reacting to the early trends, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Sunny Joseph said the results pointed to a clear pro-UDF wave. “This is a strong indication. We are confident of reaching the 100-seat mark,” he told a television channel.
Counting began at 8 am across 140 centres in the state, starting with postal ballots. Officials said a clearer picture is expected by the afternoon as more rounds are completed.
The election is being closely watched as a high-stakes contest between the ruling LDF, which is seeking a rare third consecutive term, and the UDF, which is aiming to return to power after nearly a decade.
The NDA, though not seen as a contender for power, is hoping to improve its presence and vote share in the state. ( PTI )
