Kerala civic polls: LDF takes early lead

Ruling Congress led UDF in Kerala was trailing CPI(M) headed LDF in early trends as counting was taken up today in the civic election, seen as a semi-final to next year's assembly polls.

Early indications showed LDF was leading in four of the six city corporations and UDF in the remaining two, while BJP has put up a stiff fight in many wards in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and also in some of the gram panchayat wards.

Of the 86 municipalities, LDF has emerged front runner in 43, closely followed by UDF in 42 and others in 1. In the 941 gram panchayats, LDF is leading in 368, UDF in 294, BJP 30 and others in 22.

Out of the 14 district panchayats, LDF is leading in eight and UDF in six, while out of 152 block panchayats LDF is leading in 89 and UDF 52.

Elections to civic polls were held in two phases on November 2 and 5. A total of 75,549 candidates contested for the 21 905 seats.