Both UDF, LDF say they will win in Kerala polls

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Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Thursday said that the people will give the Congress-led United Democratic Front a thumping win in the civic polls. However, Left Democratic Front convenor Vaikom Viswan asserted that the political winds are favouring them.

Chandy spoke to reporters on Thursday at his home town in Puthupally near here after he and his family members cast their votes.

"We have been winning in all the previous four polls that took place and this time also it will be the same as we have absolute faith in the people. We (UDF) were not worried of what others was doing, instead we worked as a cohesive unit and hence victory would be ours," said Chandy.

Voting began at 7 a.m. and will end at 5 p.m.

According to the State Election Commission, 25 percent of the electorate cast their ballots by 11 a.m.

Over 14 million voters are eligible to decide the political fate of more than 40,000 candidates vying for 12,651 seats in seven districts -- Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram.

The first phase took place on Monday.

Left Democratic Front (LDF) convenor Vaikom Viswan said that the winds are certainly favouring them.

"There seems to be a whole-hearted support of the people towards us and hence, we have no doubt that we will have a smooth sailing. We will be victorious as there is a strong wind in our favour," said Viswan.

The results will be out on Saturday.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is yet to open its account in the 140-member Kerala assembly and has around 500 seats in the outgoing local bodies, has claimed that they would be the biggest gainer.

But, Leader of Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan after casting his vote at his home town near Alappuzha said the highlight of this election would be the total washout of the new tie-up between the Hindu Ezhava social group SNDP led by Vellapalli Natesan and the BJP.