: The Left Democratic Front (LDF) has retained the Kollam City Corporation for the fourth consecutive term, with improved majority. Out of the 55 divisions, the LDF won 36. The United Democratic Front (UDF) won 16.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Socialist Democratic Party of India (SDPI) opened their accounts in the Kollam Corporation with two and one seat respectively. The Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), which had won seven seats in the outgoing council as an ally of the LDF, was reduced to four this time though the party had contested 11 seats as an ally of the UDF.
The BJP won Thirumullavaram and Thevally divisions while the SDPI won Chathinamkulam. Both candidates of the CPI(M) who were projected to be considered for the Mayor’s post if the LDF secured majority have won. They are V. Rajendra Babu (Uliyakovil East) and M. Noushad (Kayyalakkal). The BJP opened its account in the Kollam Corporation from the Thevally and Thirumullavaram divisions and the SDPI from the Chathinamkulam division.
The UDF candidate, Karumalil Udaya Sukumaran, of the Congress won with the highest majority in the city. In a straight fight, she defeated the LDF rival, Mary Bruno of the CPI(M) by a margin of 1,149 votes.
Municipalities
The LDF retained the Punalur municipality by winning 20 of the 35 wards. The Paravur municipality was retained by the LDF by winning 17 of the 32 wards. The LDF wrested the 35-member Karunagapally municipality from the UDF by winning 17 wards. The LDF also won the newly formed Kottarakara municipality.
