Though the UDF could hold on in most parts, the Leftward tilt was evident from dwindling margins in rural and urban panchayats in Central Kerala
Alappuzha, though expected to be one of the crucibles for the BJP-SNDP experiment, appears to have produced mixed results.
While the experiment failed to take off in Cherthala, the focus of attention, its impact was felt in the LDF strong holds of Kuttanad. However, the LDF consolidated its rural bases taking majority of the panchayats.
Erosion in UDF base
Even in Kottayam, the erosion the UDF base was evident with some of their traditional voters opting to vote for the BJP alliance and a section of the minority voters deserting them.
The working class SNDP voters, meanwhile, appear to have remained with the Left. One single most important feature of these elections here would be the possible emergence P.C. George on account of his performance in his strongholds as a LDF ally.
In Idukki, once the most secure UDF fortress in Central Kerala, the fissures are evident. In the newly formed Kattappana municipality, the LDF- High Range Samrakshana Samithy combine has taken 14 seats. The BJP alliance has three and UDF has 17 seats. Penkal Otrumai, the women’s, collective recorded its political transformation in Munnar panchayat and three AIADMK members emerged victorious in the Tamil labour pockets.
Internal strife
The internal strife within the Congress and the KC(M) will be the focus of discussion in the coming days.
An unprecedented second term for the UDF in Erankulam district panchayat could be the best thing to happen for the coalition.
While former Chief Minister E.K. Nayanar’s daughter Usha Praveen lost in the Kochi Corporation election, Sarada Mohan, daughter of former Chief Minister P. K. Vasudevan Nair took the Kalady division.
UDF has also bagged the Kochi Corporation, though with a thin majority.
The leftward swing was most evident in Thrissur where the LDF wrested the district panchayat, majority of block and grama panchayats and majority of the municipalities from UDF, though they are yet to get a clear majority in Thrissur Corporation.
The echoes of this landslide victory are sure to have its impact on the strife-torn Congress.
Fractured verdict
The verdict appears to be fractured in Palakkad with the urban centres of the Left bastion getting stormed by the BJP with the latter emerging as the single largest party in Palakkad municipality even as the rural areas stood firmly with the Left. The LDF could also make their impact felt in the tribal belt by wresting the grama panchayat in the Attapady area from the Congress.
Alappuzha, though expected to be one of the crucibles for the BJP-SNDP experiment, appears to have produced mixed results.
