As third round of counting of votes for Kochi constituency ended at TD Girls School in Mattancherry, things were increasingly looking bleak for UDF candidate and sitting MLA Dominic Presentation.
LDF candidate K.J. Maxy maintained a steady lead over his rival in all three rounds and as well as in postal votes. Mr. Maxy had 12710 votes against Mr. Presentation's 10265 votes at the end of second round, a lead of 2445 votes.
He had a lead of 654 votes at the end of the first round and 1418 in the second, thus steadily building up lead.
Congress rebel candidate was hardly living up to his potential threat as he managed only 814 votes by the sexond round. He was supposed to eat into the support base of Mr. Presentation.
BJP candidate Praveen Damodara Prabhu bagged 4031 votes.
Significantly, NOTA accounted 253 votes. Mr. Maxy received 149 of valid postal votes to 83 of Mr. Presentation and 21 of Mr. Prabhu.
Counting was progressing at a really slow pace.
