People's Democracy

 

On Local Body Election

Results in Kerala

 

N S Sajith

 

THE results of the local body elections in Kerala have once again proved that the base of the Left and Democratic Front (LDF) is intact in the state. Comparing to the result of 2009 Lok Sabha elections, the LDF’s performance in these elections is much better and the front retains the confidence in the run up for the assembly election which is due in April 2011.

 

The LDF had won only four Lok Sabha seats out of the total 20 in 2009 Lok Sabha elections. The 2009 verdict gave the United Democratic Front (UDF) a thumping majority in all constituencies except Kozhikode. Most of its candidates won with a majority of more than one lakh votes. Only in Kozhikode seat, the UDF candidate had won with a narrow margin of 700 odd votes.

 

In the present civic polls, the UDF couldn’t be successful to maintain its winning spree of the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. Though the LDF suffered marginal setback in two corporations, various municipalities, and panchayats, the improved performance of the ruling front from the defeat of Lok Sabha elections is the significant factor in the analysis of results. The LDF retains the power in Thiruvanathapuram and Kollam corporations while UDF gains control over Cochin and Thrissur corporations. Thus, this result is a befitting reply to those forces who had written off LDF after 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

 

As we compare the results of 2005 panchayat election, the UDF has gained many seats in three tier panchayats, municipalities and corporations this time. The stimulated UDF camp is much enthused in celebrating the victory. But the most alarming and significant aspect of this election is the gains of communal forces. Both Hindu and Muslim fundamentalist forces of Kerala were hand in glove with the UDF. In many seats this tacit understanding was explicit. The BJP has improved its tally in panchayats, municipalities and corporations with the help of Congress. The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), which was formed recently by Muslim fundamentalists, has also opened its account in three municipalities.

 

A section of Christian priests openly came forward and appealed the believers not to vote for non-believers. Soon after the results were announced, the Kerala Catholic Bishop Conference termed the verdict as the defeat of pseudo secularists. The Syro Malabar Sabha also repeated the same. The consolidation of communal forces was overt throughout the UDF campaign as Congress leaders publicly quoted a section of clergy who openly came out against the LDF. The reason behind the wrath of the priests was the Left's opposition to the involvement of religion in politics.

 

The LDF won 18 municipalities out of the total of 59 while UDF won in 39 municipalities. In district, block, grama panchayaths, the LDF has suffered minor setbacks as compared to the results of 2005. As the final reports came, the LDF got 5 district panchayaths and the UDF got 8. In block pachayaths, the UDF has an edge as they got 82 out of total 152. In grama panchayaths, the UDF gained the control of 538 while the LDF got 355. The BJP won in 12 panchayaths. These figures are subject to change as the result of Kozhikode district are to come only on October 31.

 

The Left bastions like Kannur, Kasargode and Palakkad kept their legacy in this election also by electing the LDF candidates with huge margins. Koothuparamba, Thalasseri, Thlipparamba and Payyannur have been won by the LDF. The UDF retained Kannur municipality. Though LDF has lost Thrissur corporation, the front won in 3 municipalities out of the six in the district. Apart from Kannur, the better performances in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappulzha, Thrissur also shows the strength of LDF in these districts.

 

 

Results of Panchayats
	LDF	UDF	BJP
Municipalitie  (57)	18	38	0
Dist. Panchayats (14)	5	8	0
Block Panchayats (152)	58	82	0
Grama Panchayats (978)	355	538	12
Results of Kozhikode is on 31 oct.

 

Results of Corporations
	LDF	UDF	BJP	Others
Thiruvananthapuram (100)	51	41	6	2
Kollam (55)	34	19	0	2
Kochi (74)	24	46	2	2
Thrissur (55)	6	45	2	2