Pinarayi Vijayan scripts history
The ruling CPM-led LDF on Monday scripted history in Kerala by bucking the trend of government change after every five years.
It became the first dispensation to do a repeat in last four decades.
The Pinarayi Vijayan government also became the first Left government to repeat victory in the history of the state.
Of the 140 seats led in 99 seats.Only twice in the past the Left had secured more than 99 seats and that was in late sixties under EMS Namboodiripad.
While the results of majority of the seats have been declared, counting is still in progress in some constituencies.
The Congress-led UDF received a huge seat back as it managed to win just 41 seats which is seven down from their 2016 tally.
The BJP which carried out a high voltage campagin bringing in Prime Minster Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and a dozen Union ministers drew a blank , losing even their sitting seat in Thiruvananthpauram.
Metroman E. Sreedharan who was taken on board by BJP with lot of anticipation, managed to
ruling come second in Palakkad constiuitency. BJP state president K. Surendran who contested from two constituencies , lost both including Konni where Sabarimala temple is located.
Fisheries minister J. Mercykutty Amma of CPM was one of the the prominent leaders from Left to lose the polls. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who led from the front as captain of the LDF in Kerala won from Dharmadom constituency in Kannur. With this stupendous victory Vijayan emerged as the indomitable leader of the Left in Kerala which also happens to be the last bastion of the communists in the country. After being decimated in West Bengal and Tripura, the Left was desperate to retain Kerala. Already the Left leadership is showcasing the Kerala victory as triumph of its alternative model of development and secular politics.
The victory also comes in the backdrop of the effective handling of Covid - 19 by the state government.
Health Minister K.K. Shailaja who was hailed by the national and international media for effective handling of first wave, won her seat with the highest margin of 61,035 votes.
KERALA