THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite Sabarimala protests, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday failed to make political dividends in Kerala local body bypolls.
Of 39 local body wards where bypolls were held on Thursday, the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) have managed to bag 21. The Congress-led UDF came second with 12 seats from its pre-poll tally of 16. The Bharatiya Janata Party which was at the forefront of Sabarimala protest with a hope to make inroads in Kerala’s electoral politics won only two seats.
Kerala Minister for Industries and Sports EP Jayarajan speaking to India Today TV said, “The results are a clear indication for the acceptance of Left government.” “The BJP and the Congress have been destroyed in this election amidst the Sabarimala issue. This shows the people have accepted our stand in this issue.”
However, BJP state general secretary AN Radhakrishnan said, “We have managed to snatch two new seats from the UDF in Alappuzha. This shows the trend on what is to come in the days.”