Kerala CM, MLAs vote in prez poll

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Ramesh Chennithala and legislators from the state cast their vote in the presidential election here today.
Vijayan and his cabinet colleagues along with CPI(M)-led ruling LDF legislators exercised their vote at the state assembly here.
CPI(M) veteran and former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandandn and Congress leader Oommen Chandy were among prominent MLAs to cast their votes, assembly officials said.
The lone BJP MLA O Rajagopal was among the early voters.
In the 140-member assembly, Vengara seat in Malapuram is vacant after incumbent MLA P K Kunhalikutty resigned after his election to the Lok Sabha from Malappuram Lok Sabha seat that fell vacant following death of IUML leader E Ahmed.

From Kerala, NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind is only expected to secure the vote of the lone BJP MLA.

The ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress headed UDF Opposition had announced their decision to back the united opposition candidate and former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar.
Kerala Congress(M) led by former Finance minister K M Mani, which had snapped ties with the UDF, also extended itssupport to Kumar.
Similarly, the lone independent MLAP C George had also announced his backing to Kumar. The voting will end at 5 PM.