UDF wrests Vizhinjam division from CPM, deals blow to BJP’s majority hopes
The UDF’s Congress candidate, Sudheer Khan, secured victory by a narrow margin of 83 votes, regaining the division that the CPM had won in the previous two elections.
The UDF’s Congress candidate, Sudheer Khan, secured victory by a narrow margin of 83 votes, regaining the division that the CPM had won in the previous two elections.
Speaking to the media after discussions and assessments held by the CPM state secretariat, Govindan said the LDF had been overconfident that the government’s actions, particularly the Cabinet decision of October 29—would yield positive electoral results.
The CPM's failure to take action against former TDB presidents, A Padma Kumar and N Vasu, who are on remand in the Sabarimala gold heist case, has created anti-left sentiments among the voters, says the report.
The discussion quickly escalated into sharp political exchanges, with the opposition accusing the government of evading elections, undermining constitutional provisions, and misusing disaster-related provisions for political convenience.
The manifesto was released in Kochi on Monday by leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, VD Satheesan, in the presence of KPCC president Sunny Joseph, AICC general secretary Deepa Dasmunshi, UDF convenor Adoor Prakash, IUML national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty, and other leaders
Ironically, only two days ago, Congress leader Varsha Gaikwad had openly urged Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to give up his alliance with Raj Thackeray's MNS and join hands with the Congress.
Appearing for Kerala, senior counsel Kapil Sibal told the Bench, “We are saying this (SIR) is co-terminus with the local election.”
In a petition filed through the Chief Secretary, the State said the manner in which the SIR is being undertaken is “not conducive to the democratic polity of the country” and urged the Court to direct the Election Commission of India (ECI) to postpone the revision exercise until the local body elections conclude.
In its petition, the party pointed out that the State Election Commission has notified elections for local bodies in two phases on December 9 and 11, while the draft electoral roll under the SIR is slated for publication on December 4.
Ratnakumar, a native of Kottoor, retired from service in March this year.
