Kerala assembly elections 2011: UDF gains narrow majority

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Backed by a consolidation of religious minorities, Congress-led UDF in Kerala on Friday gained a narrow majority over the CPM-controlled LDF in the 140-member state Assembly.

Outgoing Kerala chief minister VS Achutanandan said on Friday that he would not try to garner a majority using disgruntled members from other parties and would sit in the opposition.

Out of 129 results declared, 67 seats went to UDF and 62 to LDF. UDF is leading in another five seats and LDF in six.

Though the state was poised to live up to its reputation of giving mandate to the rival coalitions alternately, the UDF tally fell far short of its expectations going by its splendid showing in the Lok Sabha polls in 2009.

In 2006 assembly polls, LDF won 98 seats and UDF 42. Even as the UDF is all set to scrape through, the performance of the coalition leader Congress' performance was none too impressive as it could win only 23 seats.

Going by the trend, CPM emerged as the single largest party in the House having already won 35 seats even if the LDF loses power.

The UDF's main partner, Indian Union Muslim League, put up a sterling performance notching up 17 of the 24 seats it contested.

While minor UDF components JSS and CMP were washed out, recently formed Socialist Janata (Democratic) led by M P Veerendrakumar bagged two seats.

The prominent UDF candidates who romped home include its chief ministerial probable Oommen Chandy, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala, K Muraleedharan (Cong), IUML leader P K Kuhalikutty and Kerala Congress leader K M Mani (Pala).

Chief minister VS Achuthanandan scored a hat-trick from the CPM stronghold Malampuzha by a huge margin of 20,000 votes over Lathika Subhash of the Congress.

Most of the ministers including home and tourism minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan received a fresh mandate.

The LDF maintained sway over most of the northern districts, except the Muslim League-dominated Malappuram.

While the UDF put up a good showing in the Christian heartland Central Travancore, the trend was mixed in down south including the state capital.

source: TOI