United Democratic Front candidate Anoop Jacob won the by-election from the Piravom Assembly constituency in Kerala on Wednesday with a margin of 12,070 votes.
Mr. Anoop Jacob (Kerala Congress-Jacob) bagged 82,756 votes against 70,686 votes secured by his nearest rival and Left Democratic Front candidate M. J. Jacob (CPI-M). BJP candidate K.R. Rajagopal ended up a distant third with 3241 votes. (The Congress-led United Democratic Front is the ruling Front in Kerala and the bypoll result comes as a boost to the Front which has only a slender majority in the Assembly).
In the 2011 general elections, Mr. Anoop’s father T. M. Jacob had won from the constituency with a margin of just 157 votes. Anoop Jacob stepped in after the death of his father, then Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, on October 31 last year. He put up quite an impressive show by raising the winning margin of his father..
Mr. Anoop Jacob has been leading steadily since the counting began at 8 am this morning but for a slight advantage of 300-odd votes for Mr. M. J. Jacob at one point. The Left Democratic Front candidate trailed in most of the panchayats. The margin climbed to more than 10,000 within one and a half hours into the counting.
The first round of counting began with the service ballots. Out of 323 service ballots issued by the returning officer, 316 had been returned. On completion of the first round, Anoop Jacob had a slender lead of 127 votes. He secured 7,567 votes as against M. J. Jacob’s 7,438 votes. BJP candidate had 578 votes at this point.
Halfway through the counting, Anoop had a lead of 4,440 votes. He had secured 42,419 votes as against 37,979 for M. J. Jacob, when counting votes from 71 booths of the 135 booths were completed by 9 am.
Television channels started live coverage of counting as early as 7 am when the officials took their positions at the 14 tables set up for counting at the Muvattupuzha Nirmala Junior School; and those glued to the television sets were expecting a tight competition since the contest was between T.M. Jacob and M.J. Jacob last time.
However, the trend soon became evident and the UDF supporters broke into celebrations straight away. The decisive victory at Piravom will stand the UDF in good stead as the focus now moves to Neyyantikkara, where the CPI (M) Member of Assembly R. Selvaraj resigned amidst the election campaign here.
Keywords: Piravom Assembly bypoll, Keraka politics, UDF victory
udf will be in power for another 10 years
I believe this is not a good message for secular Kerala.election results are decided by religion and caste. Why it not possible to propose a Hindu candidate to this constituency for years?
Excellent result. It is Ooman Chandy's Success. Anoop must fulfil the commitments specified in the election manifesto so that the voters will vote for you again at the next election.
Wish you all the success in your new role as an MLA and probably a miniister for Food and Civil supplies and Consumer Affairs.
All most all of us are prejudiced in our views whether it is political matters or anything else. We form our opinions based on that and make comments as per our prejudiced & narrow views.Sometimes the worst emotions in us go out by spitting venom in our words.Hearty congratulations to Anoop Jacob & the UDF. No need for so much disappointment for LDF. This is not the end of the road. Both should now unitedly work for our state's development. BEST WISHES.
" 'Sentiments' wave swept Pirovam" should have been the apt heading for this news, as from the result it seems that the hot issues of public concern or ideologies doesn't bothered the people of Pirovam. Rest of the Kerala were expecting a close fight, while the People of Pirovam took it in a different way.
The LDF is split wide open with the regular fights between the Achuthanandan & Pinarayi groups. The wise & literate people of Kerala have realised that only the UDF under the able leadership of CM Oomman Chandy can bring Progress, Prosperity & Peace to "God's own Country".
Let LDF realise that good work of UDF has worked and will work in the next bye election also. Talking will never work and hope UDF will show the same work which they have done till now will continue for the full 5 years. Thanks to Mr.Umman Chandi who had gone to the people and is doing for the people. We need a prospering Kerala, not a bleeding Kerala.
Congrats Anoop for a great victory .thanks to Ommen Chandy sir and his govt for the good deeds he has done over the last 9 months. go ahead ....people of kerala are with u...... special thanks to people of piravam......... repeat this victory @ neyattinkara too.....
It is indeed a victory for people of Piravom and Kerala,they have voted
for development and prosperity. Mr.Ommen Chandy has passed the test
successfully and he should continue the good work(Jana Samparkon
Programme).
It is a disaster and it shouldnt have happened since UDF government did nothing to people of kerala .
As the saga goes the good is defeated over evil .
Great victory for the well governance headed by Ommen Chandy.
Keep up the good work done by your father.Another great blow to Marxist party for importing Kannur style in Piravom.
Please proofread the article tags. ‘Keraka politics’ is disturbing.
cong.....anoop jacob and the U D F,,,,,keep it up your promises
Mr Anoop Jacob. Congratulations. Keep it up and prove to LDF that the son is matter of Pride for the father and Peravam. Thanks to the People of Perivam and special thanks to Mr Ommen Chandy who has chosen him as the right candidate.
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