Bypoll results boost for UDF, relief for LDF, disappointment for BJP in Kerala

PTI Thiruvananthapuram: The results of the bypolls held for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat and two Assembly constituencies in Kerala have come as a boost for the Congressled UDF, a relief for the ruling CPI(M)-headed LDF, and a disappointment for the BJP-led NDA. While Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra comfortably cruised to her maiden electoral win from the Wayanad seat, surpassing the 3.64-lakh lead achieved by her brother Rahul Gandhi in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls earlier this year, the party's candidate in the Palakkad Assembly segment, Rahul Mamkootathil, secured a victory with a thumping margin. Priyanka won Wayanad constituency by a margin of over 4.1 lakh votes against LDF candidate, CPI's Sathyan Mokeri.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Wayanad, CPI's Annie Raja secured second place with 2,83,023 votes, while BJP's K Surendran finished third with 1,41,045 votes. However, both fronts were unable to replicate their performance in the by-poll, despite a reduced voter turnout in the hill constituency. Youth Congress state president Mamkootathil won the Palakkad seat with a margin of over 18,000 votes, even making inroads into BJP stronghold areas, delivering a shock to the saffron party, which had been hoping to win the seat after finishing second in the past few elections. Adding to the BJP's woes, the Left improved its performance in the seat, narrowing the gap with the party. Providing further relief for the ruling LDF, CPI(M)'s U R Pradeep won the Chelakkara Assembly by-poll in Kerala, defeating Congressled UDF's Ramya Haridas by a margin of 12,201 votes.

Although the Congress significantly reduced the large margin secured by the Left in the Chelakkara seat during the 2021 polls, it did not achieve the vote share it had garnered during the Lok Sabha elections in the Assembly segment. "The excellent victories in Wayanad and Palakkad, along with the strong performance in Chelakkara, are e collective teamwork within the UDF. ," Satheesan said.