Thiruvananthapuram | The Congress-led UDF surged ahead in Kerala on Monday as counting of votes for the April 9 Assembly elections gathered pace, with early trends showing a clear advantage for the opposition alliance in lines with exit poll predictions.
After the first few rounds of counting, the United Democratic Front was leading in 100 of the 140 Assembly seats, while the CPI(M)-led ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) was ahead in just in 40 constituencies.
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was leading in only one seat, according to television reports.
If the Left loses Kerala, the party would be left with no Indian state where it would be in the ruling saddle.
The trends also indicated setbacks for the ruling front, with at least a dozen ministers trailing in their respective constituencies. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was behind in Dharmadam, his traditional stronghold in Kannur district, in the initial rounds.
Among other ministers facing early deficits were Veena George, M B Rajesh, O R Kelu, R Bindhu, J Chinchurani, P Rajeev, K B Ganesh Kumar, V N Vasavan, V Sivankutty, V Abdurahiman, Kadannappally Ramachandran A K Saseendran and Roshy Augustine.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan was also trailing in his sitting seat of Perambra in Kozhikode district, according to television reports.
Anti-incumbency appears to have played a significant role against the CPI(M)-led government, which has been in power for two successive terms under Vijayan.
Voters in several constituencies seemed to express discontent with the incumbent administration, amid repeated allegations from the opposition regarding corruption and charges of nepotism in governance.
The UDF also appears to have benefited from a consolidation of minority votes in many regions, which traditionally act as a decisive bloc in Kerala's electoral politics.
Additionally, the Congress campaign, led nationally by top party leader Rahul Gandhi, focused heavily on welfare assurances, including targeted outreach to women voters through promises linked to financial support and social security, which may have resonated in the early trends.
If the current leads translate into results, it could mark the end of a decade-long rule by Vijayan and the LDF government in the state.
Such an outcome would be politically significant, not only because the Left was attempting to secure a rare third consecutive term, but also because it would signal a shift in Kerala's electoral pattern, which has historically seen power alternate between the LDF and the UDF.
In a significant development, Congress veteran and Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan was trailing in North Paravoor constituency, where CPI(M) candidate E T Tyson had taken an early lead. However, Satheesan recovered as counting progressed in areas favourable to the national party.
Reacting to the early trends, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Sunny Joseph said the results pointed to a clear pro-UDF wave. "This is a strong indication. We are confident of reaching the 100-seat mark," he told a television channel.
Counting began at 8 am across 140 centres in the state, starting with postal ballots. Officials said a clearer picture is expected by the afternoon as more rounds are completed.
The election is being closely watched as a high-stakes contest between the ruling LDF, which is seeking a rare third consecutive term, and the UDF, which is aiming to return to power after nearly a decade.
The NDA, though not seen as a contender for power, is hoping to improve its presence and vote share in the state.
Thiruvananthapuram | The initial two hours of counting of votes polled in the April 9 Kerala Assembly polls showed the Congress-led UDF taking a massive lead, as per news reports, indicating the front may claim power in the state.
According to news reports, the UDF was ahead in over 90 seats, while the CPI(M)-led LDF was leading in under 50 seats, and the BJP-headed NDA was leading in around 5 seats.
The Election Commission figures indicated that the Congress was ahead in 50 seats, CPI(M) in 31, IUML in 17, CPI in 13, with Kerala Congress (M) ahead in 4, and the BJP, Kerala Congress (KEC) and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) leading in 3 seats each.
The trends appear to support the UDF's claim that it would get a huge majority.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Sunny Joseph said it indicates a pro-UDF trend in the state and expressed confidence that the UDF will reach the 100-seat mark
Thiruvananthapuram | At least 12 ministers in the CPI(M)-led LDF cabinet were trailing on Monday with the counting of votes polled in the April 9 Assembly elections progressing across the state.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was also trailing in his sitting seat Dharmadam, considered his bastion and where his village Pinarayi falls.
According to various reports, ministers- Veena George, M B Rajesh, O R Kelu, R Bindhu, J Chinchurani, P Rajeev, K B Ganesh Kumar, V N Vasavan, V Sivankutty, V Abdurahiman, A K Saseendran and Roshy Augustine were trailing in their respective constituencies.
The Congress-UDF was ahead in over 90 seats, while the LDF was leading in a little over 40 seats. The BJP-headed NDA was leading in four Assembly constituencies according to reports.
Kochi | UDF face and Congress leader V D Satheesan is trailing in North Paravoor constituency, where CPI(M) candidate E T Tyson has taken an early lead, according to TV reports.
Following the initial rounds of EVM counting, Tyson was leading by over 240 votes.
However, Satheesan is expected to gain ground when votes from local bodies with a stronger Congress presence are counted.
Satheesan, the Leader of Opposition, led the UDF in the Assembly election.
He is among the key contenders for the post of chief minister if the UDF comes to power.
As per the latest trend, Congress is leading in a majority of seats in 140 Assembly constituencies in Kerala.
Thiruvananthapuram | As the Congress-led UDF leads in Kerala after the first one hour of counting of votes polled in the April 9 state assembly elections, the party's state unit chief Sunny Joseph said it indicates a trend in its favour.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Joseph also expressed confidence that the UDF will reach the 100 seat mark.
"It indicates a pro-UDF trend in the state. We will reach the 100 seats mark," he told a TV channel.
As per news reports, after the first hour of counting of votes, UDF was leading in over 90 seats, while the LDF was ahead in just over 40 seats and the NDA was in the front in 5 out of the total 140 seats.
Reports also showed that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and majority of the state ministers were behind in the initial rounds of counting.
Thiruvananthapuram | The BJP-led NDA is leading in five constituencies in Kerala with the counting of votes in the April 9 Assembly polls reaching the initial one and hours.
The saffron party-led front continues to maintain the lead in Nemom, Kazhakkoottam, Manjeswar, Palakkad and Chathannur in the initial hour, according to various television reports.
The BJP-NDA, which is making its way to open an account in the state Assembly, is pinning its hope on a handful of constituencies this time.
The Congress-UDF was ahead in over 90 seats, while the CPI(M)-led LDF was leading in over 40 seats, with the counting progressing, according to news reports. PTI LGK ADB 05040949
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Kannur (Kerala) | Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is trailing in Dharmadom constituency, where Congress candidate V P Abdul Rasheed has taken the lead, according to TV reports.
Vijayan, the face of the LDF in the Assembly election, is seeking a mandate from Dharmadom for the third time.
According to TV reports, Vijayan trailed by over 700 votes in the initial rounds of counting of EVMs.
The development would be considered significant as Dharmadom is regarded as an LDF stronghold.
However, the CPI(M) expects Vijayan to gain ground as counting progresses further.
In the 2021 Assembly polls, Vijayan had won from Dharmadom with a margin of over 45,000 votes.
As per initial trends, the UDF appears to have the upper hand across Kerala, with several key LDF sitting MLAs and ministers trailing in different constituencies.
Thiruvananthapuram | At least seven Kerala ministers are trailing with the counting of votes polled in the April 9 Assembly elections progressing in the state.
According to various television reports, the ministers Veena George, M B Rajesh, O R Kelu, R Bindhu, J Chinchurani, P Rajeev, K B Ganesh Kumar, and Roshy Augustine were trailing in their respective constituencies in the first hour of counting.
The counting of votes in EVMs has started, they said.
The Congress-UDF was ahead in close to 80 seats, while the CPI(M)-led LDF was leading in a little over 50 seats, with the BJP-headed NDA in the front in around 5 Assembly constituencies as EVM votes began to be counted, according to news reports.
Thiruvananthapuram | As counting of EVM votes polled in the April 9 Kerala Assembly elections commenced, trends after 9 am show the Congress-led UDF leading in the state.
The UDF was ahead in close to 90 seats, while the CPI(M)-led LDF was leading in over 40 seats with the BJP-headed NDA in the front in around 5 assembly constituencies as EVM votes began to be counted, according to news reports.
As per Election Commission figures, Congress is ahead in 10 seats, CPI(M) in 5, CPI in 2, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) 2 and IUML, RJD and Kerala Congress (KEC) with one each, among others.
The trends appear to support the UDF claim that it would get a huge majority. PTI If the situation continues, the UDF stand to claim power in the state.
Kerala Assembly polls: Initial counting trends show Cong-led UDF leading Thiruvananthapuram, May 4 (PTI) Initial trends following the commencement of counting of votes polled in the April 9 Kerala Assembly elections showed the Congress-led UDF leading in the state.
According to news reports, UDF was leading in over 60 seats, while the CPI(M)-led LDF was ahead in over 50 seats in the state.
The initial trends are based on the counting of postal ballots , which account for 1.36 per cent of the total votes polled.
Thiruvananthapuram | Counting of votes polled in the April 9 Assembly elections in Kerala commenced at 8 am on Monday at 140 centres spread across 43 locations in the state.
It brings to an end the intense and high-stakes contest among the ruling LDF, the opposition UDF, and the BJP-led NDA.
The strongrooms, where the electronic voting machines were stored, were opened at around 6.30am in the presence of Election Commission observers, security personnel, and representatives of candidates.
The counting commenced with the tallying of the postal ballots which account for 1.36 per cent of the total votes polled.
A broad picture of the election outcome is expected by the afternoon.
The results are crucial for all three fronts as they seek to strengthen their position in the state's evolving political landscape.
Kerala has a total of 2,71,42,952 voters, of whom 79.63 per cent cast their votes across 140 Assembly constituencies on April 9.
By including the postal ballots received till May 1, the turnout has tentatively risen to 79.70 per cent, Kerala CEO Rathan U Kelkar said on Sunday.
The chief electoral officer (CEO) had said that 53,984 postal ballots had been issued to service voters, of which 20,028 had been received as of May 1.
A total of 883 candidates contested the election for 140 seats in the state.
Officials said that 15,464 personnel have been deployed for the exercise, comprising 140 returning officers, 1,340 additional returning officers, 4,208 micro observers, 4,208 counting supervisors, and 5,563 counting assistants.
Security arrangements have been put in place, with 25 companies of central forces deployed alongside state police personnel to guard the counting centres.
Police have also enhanced surveillance across the state to prevent any post-election violence, officials said.
Most exit polls have predicted a close contest but giving an edge to the Congress-led UDF, which has remained out of power since 2016.
The UDF aims for a significant improvement from the 41 seats it won in the 2021 Assembly election, with some exit polls projecting 80-90 seats.
The ruling LDF, however, citing forecasts of a close contest, remains hopeful of retaining power for a third consecutive term.
A defeat for the LDF would also mark the first time since the 1960s that Left parties are not in power in any Indian state.
The BJP-led NDA, although not in contention to form the government, views the election as crucial to expanding its footprint in Kerala after failing to win any seats in 2021.
The alliance is also closely watching its vote share, targeting more than 20 per cent this time.