Ottapalam defies LDF slide – The Hindu

The sharp rise in the victory margin of Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate K. Premkumar in Ottapalam has surprised political observers, especially amid the LDF’s wider electoral setbacks across the State. While the LDF lost three sitting seats in Palakkad district and recorded reduced margins in six others, Premkumar secured a lead of 26,777 votes over P. K. Sasi—an expelled CPI(M) leader who contested with United Democratic Front (UDF) backing. This marks a significant increase from his 2021 victory margin of 15,152 votes, with no other constituency witnessing a comparable surge in the LDF’s winning margin.

Mr. Sasi attributed the result to what he described as the UDF’s failure to consolidate its votes. He alleged that a substantial portion of UDF votes had shifted to the BJP, citing that party’s increased vote share in Ottapalam. The widened margin is also being viewed in political circles as a reflection of voter response to Mr. Sasi’s candidature. He had been demoted from the CPI(M) district committee following allegations of misconduct and financial irregularities, though he remained in the party until shortly before the election. He had also served as chairman of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation until February 19.