LDF wins both local body wards in Kannur

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) won both the local body wards in Kannur district where by-elections were held, wresting back the Bavode East ward of Peralassery panchayat from the United Democratic Front (UDF) and retaining the Uruvachal division of Mattannur municipality.

In Bavode East, the LDF’s K.V. Ratheesh defeated UDF candidate M. Ranjish by 65 votes. The ward had been won by the UDF by a margin of 13 votes in the previous election. The bypoll was necessitated by the death of sitting UDF member Suresh Babu Thandarath.

The LDF also retained the Uruvachal division in Mattannur municipality. CPI(M) candidate and former standing committee chairman A.K. Sureshkumar secured 638 votes, defeating the IUML’s Latheef Pazhassi, who polled 362 votes. The BJP’s K. Mohanan secured 31 votes. The LDF’s majority increased from 269 votes in the previous election to 276 votes this time. The bypoll followed the death of CPI(M) councillor K.K. Abhimanyu.

CPI(M) Kannur district secretary K.K. Ragesh said the verdict represented a clear mandate against the UDF. He said the LDF had regained Bavode East with a substantial margin and increased its majority in Uruvachal despite what he described as strong UDF influence and intensive campaigning by its leaders.

Mr. Ragesh termed the results a warning to both the State government and the UDF and said they demonstrated the LDF’s ability to make a strong comeback in the district.