Ruling United Democratic Front’s Congress nominee R. Selvaraj has registered a convincing victory in the fiercely fought three-cornered contest in the Neyyattinkara Assembly by-election in Kerala. After trailing behind his two main rivals in the early rounds, Mr. Selvaraj romped home with a margin of 6,334 votes, pushing up the UDF’s slender majority in the 140-member Kerala Assembly to 73.
The UDF has wrested the Neyyattinkara seat from the Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) which had won it through Mr. Selvaraj who had contested the 2011 Assembly election as a Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate. He had won the election by a margin of 6,702 votes, defeating Congress nominee Thampanoor Ravi. However, Mr. Selvaraj dealt a blow to the CPI(M) and LDF three months ago by resigning his membership in the CPI(M) and the State Assembly, thereby necessitating the by-poll.
BJP gathers support
In the by-election which saw Bharatiya Janata Party’s O. Rajagopal putting up a strong show, Mr. Selvaraj secured 52,528 votes against CPI(M) nominee F. Lawrence’s 46,194 votes. Equally significant as Mr. Selvaraj’s victory was Mr. Rajagopal’s strong showing. He raised his party’s tally in the constituency by over four-fold as compared to 2011 Assembly election by securing 30,507 votes. The BJP nominee had secured only 6,730 votes in 2011.
UDF elated
Reacting to the UDF win, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said it was endorsement of UDF rule and proof that the people of Kerala did not approve of the ‘politics of murder and violence being practiced’ by the CPI(M). Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Ramesh Chennithala said that UDF victory a strong reply to the ‘politics of murder’ of the CPI(M) and an expression of the people’s faith in the Oommen Chandy government and the UDF.
Official results can be viewed at trend.kerala.gov.in
Keywords: LDF, UDF, Neyyattinkara bypolls
Its not that much 'relevant', as Mr.CK Raju himself is pointing out that 35% of votes is secured by the 'winning-candidate'. Here we need to consider the fact that the remaining 65% is splitted into many. Also that 65% is NOT against the winning candidate, it shall be considered as supporting votes to other candidates. Ultimately the candidate who gets more support will be the winner, obviously. At the same time, the point that Mr.CK Raju made, can be considered as relevant, if the election commission brings a condition that 'a candidate shall be elected if a minimum of 50% of the vote polled be in support to the candidate'. But we need a thorough study of the feasibility of that.
Very relevant point, CK Raju!
"a party which secures only 35% of polled ballots in every constituency
can still become the ruling dispensation is a mocking at the face of 65%
of the citizens who have voted against the candidates."
I am very happy to know that Mr Selvaraj has won the by elections from Neyyatinkara defeating his LDF rival. The nexus of CPM with some hardcore criminal elements which has been exposed after the brutal murder of T.P Chandrashekaran has shocked the entire state of Kerala irrespective of caste or religion. What has happened to Chandrashekaran can happen to anyone in the times to come if it is not investigated at this stage and the culprits brought before the law. Nobody wants to give support to a party which silently engages in murder and other criminal activities. Several murder incidents in Kannur district had taken place during the misrule of LDF in Kerala. No initiative was taken then to investigate these cases as these were motivated by CPM itself and the police too were like mere puppets under the control of this criminal elements who had taken law in their own hands with CPM support. Now the police have really done a commendable job in nabbing the culprits of Chandrashekaran's murder within record time.
Now the CPM has to face utter neglect and humiliation by the people of Kerala and they can never think of winning any elections in the near
future.They will get the curse of the victims dear ones whom they have
targetted and murdered and they will have to pay dearly for their
criminal activities and reign of terror during the LDF misrule.
I hope the UDF continues to get wholehearted support of the people in
kerala and takes all measure for the peace and prosperity in our
state.
It is surprising to hear a Chief Minister interpreting elections as endorsement of UDF, when number of people who had cast their votes on non-UDF candidates happen to be the majority. This kind of strange situations should rather alert the Election Commission into action. Let there be a proportionate representation of candidates in the Assembly of the parties in accordance with the percentage of polls secured in the State. This sort of democracy, where a party which secures only 35% of polled ballots in every constituency can still become the ruling dispensation is a mocking at the face of 65% of the citizens who have voted against the candidates.
The increase in BJPs vote indicates the shift of the public opinion.The left and right parties needs to be more cautious in future.
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