Thiruvananthapuram: The United Democratic Front (UDF) reclaimed the Vizhinjam ward in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation on Tuesday, January 13, in a closely fought election that was postponed earlier due to the death of a candidate. The victory comes amid the UDF’s momentum following recent local body polls in Kerala.

UDF candidate K.H. Sudheer Khan edged past LDF’s N.A. Noushad (CPM) by just 83 votes, securing 2,902 votes to Noushad’s 2,819. The BJP candidate, Sarvashakthipuram Binu, finished third with 2,437 votes. Nine candidates, including independents and rebels, contested the election, which recorded a voter turnout of 66.97 per cent — 8,912 out of 13,307 registered voters cast their ballots.

A former CPM councillor, N.A. Rasheed, contested as an independent and polled 118 votes, a total exceeding the winning margin. His participation played a key role in the UDF’s victory. Another rebel, former Youth Congress leader Hisan Hussain, also contested as an independent. Analysts noted that the rebel candidates significantly shaped the outcome.

UDF workers celebrated the outcome by raising slogans and distributing sweets outside the counting centre. 

Implications for Thiruvananthapuram Corporation

The UDF victory strengthens its tally in the 101-member council to 20 seats, reclaiming Vizhinjam after a decade. The BJP, which had been just one seat short of an absolute majority in the Corporation with 50 seats, had hoped to secure Vizhinjam and reach the ‘magic number’ of 51 for independent governance. Following the UDF win, the BJP will now continue ruling with the support of an independent councillor.