LDF retains Chelakkara as U R Pradeep wins bypoll with a lead of over 12000 votes

Chelakkara: As the vote counting got complete in the Chelakkara by-election, LDF candidate U R Pradeep won with a over 12,000 votes. From the very first round of counting, Pradeep has maintained a consistent lead, starting with 1,890 votes in the first round and increasing his margin in each subsequent round. At no point did UDF candidate Ramya Haridas manage to surpass him, with signs emerging that the constituency is leaning towards the Left.

The initial rounds of counting took place in areas such as Varavur, Desamgalam, Vallathol Nagar and Panjal Panchayats, which are traditionally strongholds for the LDF. The UDF had hoped to reduce the lead in these areas. However, they were unable to make significant gains. In these areas, Pradeep secured votes as expected by the Left-wing camp. After the third round of counting, Pradeep had a lead of 5,834 votes, which increased to 7,598 after the fourth round and reached 8,577 after the fifth round.

For the UDF, reclaiming lost ground in the remaining areas of voting will be challenging. Only if Ramya Haridas manages to secure large leads in the Panchayats of Pazhanyannur and Mullurkara, where she had gained a lead in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, can she hope to make a comeback. Thus, the UDF camp has not entirely given up hope. Meanwhile, BJP candidate K Balakrishnan remains in third place, and the Independent candidate supported by Anvar's DMK is currently in fourth.