CM Vijayan Predicts ‘Historic Victory’ for Left After Casting Vote in Phase 2
Second phase of Kerala local body polls sees steady turnout, minor disruptions; rivals claim mandate shifting their way.
Kerala, Dec 11 : On Thursday entered the decisive stage of its local body elections as the second phase of polling progressed across seven northern districts, recording 16% turnout by 9 a.m., according to the State Election Commission.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who voted with his family in Kattilapeedika under Pinarayi panchayat, said the Left Democratic Front (LDF) was on track for a “historic victory”. He asserted that the front continued to enjoy strong public support and dismissed controversies including the Sabarimala gold smuggling case as having “no impact whatsoever” on voter sentiment.
“Believers themselves understood that strict action in such cases was taken only because of the present administration,” Vijayan said.
Polling, which began at 7 a.m., covered Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod, and will conclude at 6 p.m. With southern Kerala voting in the first phase, Thursday’s polling completed the electoral process across all 14 districts.
Minor disruptions, bee attack reported
The day saw a few technical glitches. Polling in Pattissery ward of Nellaya, Palakkad, was halted for about 30 minutes due to a faulty voting machine. A similar issue caused a 15-minute delay in Manisseri West, Vaniyamkulam, before machines were replaced.
In a rare incident, eight people were injured in a bee attack at the Valakkavu LP School polling station in Thrissur. All were taken to a private hospital in Nadathara.
Political fronts trade claims of victory
As voting continued, political leaders issued confident predictions.
• UDF veteran Mullappally Ramachandran said the opposition was heading for a “clear victory”, calling the polls a referendum on the state government.
• BJP veteran P.S. Sreedharan Pillai claimed the party would “double its current seats”, accusing the LDF and UDF of joining hands wherever BJP gained ground.
• Former State BJP president K. Surendran said the NDA would make significant gains and described the election as a “setback for the Sabarimala gold smugglers”.
With Phase 2 voting wrapped up, all eyes now turn to December 13, when counting will reveal the electoral verdict and the political message it carries for Kerala.
