Resounding Victory For Left As Anti-Incumbency Takes A Beating
Kerala Election Results 2021: Kerala had registered a voter turnout of 73.40 per cent (File)
New Delhi:
Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF is all set for a thumping victory in Kerala with leads in 96 seats. The Kerala Chief Minister has won from the Dharmadam constituency by a margin of over 50,000 votes. The Left alliance had sought a historic second term in a state that alternates between the alliances. Even the poll of exit polls had predicted a change to the pattern, allocating 85 of 140 seats to the LDF alliance and 53 to the Congress-led UDF. The Kerala Election Results 2021 is expected today.
The Opposition alliance UDF is leading in 43 seats and the BJP has failed to register a mark in the state.
Kerala voted in a single phase to elect 140 MLAs to the state Assembly. The state had registered a voter turnout of 73.40 per cent. The counting of votes began at 8 am today.
The Kerala Assembly Elections 2021 were held with strict adherence to anti-coronavirus protocols. Wearing of masks and maintaining proper social distance was made mandatory during the entire election process. The number of polling booths was increased for staggered voting.
In the 2016 elections, the CPIM-led Left Democratic Front or LDF had won the majority of votes. The main fight in the state is between the LDF and the Congress-led UDF. While Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hopes to form the government for the second consecutive term, the Congress, which had won 19 of the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala in 2019, is banking on the anti-incumbency factor.
The BJP, which has only one MLA in the state Assembly, hopes to win a toehold in the state.
Here are the Updates on the Kerala Assembly Elections Results 2021:
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, rejuvenated by a fresh and decisive mandate today, chose to focus considerably on attacking the BJP-led opposition alliance even though his government’s main rival remains the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). In an exclusive interview with NDTV, he said the ruling front’s victory in the Assembly election symbolised Kerala’s rejection of religious divisiveness.
The Left Democratic Front today retained power in Kerala, cornering up to 97 seats — six more than in 2016 — defeating the UDF and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The feat is being dubbed historic because the state has for decades alternated between the LDF and UDF every five years without fail. The NDA, a key third pillar in the state’s politics, lost even its single standing seat — Nemom — to the LDF.
Not only did the Left Democratic Front’s Pinarayi Vijayan scripted history by breaking Kerala’s record of voting out every incumbent government for the past four decades, so did nine of his cabinet colleagues who got elected, adding another feather in his cap.
Health Minister KK Shailaja won from Mattannur in Kannur with a record margin of 67,013 votes. Known as “Shailja teacher” to the masses, the school teacher-turned-politician has won much global praise for her efficient handling of the first COVID-19 wave in Kerala.
While speaking to ANI, Ms Shailaja said the result of the Assembly elections shows that people trust the good work of the government.
“The LDF has registered a thumping victory in Kerala Assembly polls. When the elections were declared, the Chief Minister had said ”We are with the people and people are with us”. When Kerala went through many challenges like hurricanes, floods, the Nipah virus and now COVID-19, the Left government stood with the people. The result shows that people trust the good work of the government,” she said.
J Mercykutty, who handled Fisheries, is the only minister in the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet who was defeated. Kadakampally Surendran being the Devasom Minister had faced the heat of the high-pitch campaign from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress over Sabarimala women’s entry issue. Even exit poll surveys predicted a win for BJP candidate Shoba Surendran. But overcoming all odds, he trounced BJP in the Kazhakoottam constituency with a majority of 23,497 votes.
Electricity Minister MM Mani got elected from his stronghold Udumbanchola in Idukki district for the second time with a huge majority of 38,305.
Local Self Government Minister AC Moideen won from Kunnamkulam in Thrissur district with a clear majority of 26,631 votes.
Excise Minister TP Ramakrishnan won from Perambara in Kozhikode district with a margin of 6,173 votes against UDF’s CH Ibrahim Kutty.
From the CPI(M) allies on the Left front – Revenue Minister E Chandrashekaran, Water Resource Minister K Krishnankutty, Ports Minister Kadanapally Ramachandran and Transport Minister AK Saseendran also won from their respective seats.
KT Jaleel, the Left-backed independent who resigned as the Higher Education Minister at the end of LDF government tenure, registered a victory in Thavanur against Firoz Kunnamparambil of the UDF with a thin margin of 3,066 against in a nail-biting finish.
In a stunning electoral victory, the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) rode back to power in Kerala winning 99 of the 140 seats, bucking the over four decade long trend of Communists and Congress led UDF coming to power alternatively.
While the BJP-NDA came a cropper, the UDF won 40 seats and was leading in one.
The results dealt a huge blow to the opposition UDF, which was hoping to sail to power, and it could garner only 41 seats while the BJP had to forgo even the lone seat–Nemom– it captured in the 2016 elections.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan won by a huge margin of 50,123 votes.
Congratulations to @vijayanpinarayi for an emphatic victory in Kerala today. The voters of Kerala have rewarded your model of governance & social security driven development. Best wishes for your next term in office.
– Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 2, 2021
Gratitude to the people of Kerala who supported our Party in these elections. I appreciate the efforts of our industrious Party Karyakartas, who will continue serving the people of the state and strengthen the party at the grassroots level.
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2021
I would like to congratulate Shri @vijayanpinarayi and the LDF for winning the Kerala Assembly elections. We will continue working together on a wide range of subjects and to ensure India mitigates the COVID-19 global pandemic.
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2021
Kerala Results 2021: “Metroman” E Sreedharan Loses From Palakkad
BJP candidate “Metroman” E Sreedharan loses to Congress’ Shafi Parambil by a margin of 3,859 votes from Palakkad.
Kerala Results 2021: Oommen Chandy Wins By Margin Of 9,044 Votes
Former Chief Minister and Congress candidate Oommen Chandy wins by a margin of 9,044 votes from Puthupally constituency, reported news agency PTI.
Kerala Results 2021: Pinarayi Vijayan Wins By Margin Of Over 50,000 Votes
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wins by a margin of 50,123 votes from Dharmadam constituency, reported news agency PTI.
Kerala Results 2021: “No Swearing-In Tomorrow,” Says Pinarayi Vijayan
“The news that the swearing-in ceremony will take place tomorrow is not true. The resignation will be submitted when I reach Thiruvananthapuram tomorrow. The rest will be decided after discussion with the party and the Front,” said Pinarayi Vijayan, reported news agency ANI.
Kerala Results 2021: MK Stalin Congratulates Pinarayi Vijayan On Historic Win
“On behalf of DMK, I congratulate Comrade @vijayanpinarayi for leading his party to victory in the Kerala state elections. His measured and decisive leadership has been instrumental in helping Kerala achieve great heights and I wish him another very successful tenure,” tweeted MK Stalin.
I humbly dedicate this great victory to the people of Kerala: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan
– ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2021
Kerala Results: “PM, Amit Shah Campaigned In Kerala,” Says Pinarayi Vijayan
“Top BJP leaders had announced that they were moving towards forming a government. At that point, we were told that their current account here would be closed in this election. BJP leaders, including the PM, Home Minister & Chief Ministers, had come here to campaign,” said Pinarayi Vijayan, reported news agency ANI.
Kerala Results: “Kerala Does Not Accept Communalism, Divisiveness,” Says Pinarayi Vijayan
“BJP had claimed they will big win in Kerala. Senior BJP leaders made claims of forming the government. We had stated that BJP’s existing seat will also not exist in Kerala. Several top BJP leaders spent their time and money in Kerala. They must understand Kerala’s peculiarity. Kerala does not accept communalism, divisiveness,” said Pinarayi Vijayan.
People’s mandate proves that they are happy with the pro-people policies of LDF govt. It’s a victory of people. PM Modi with half a dozen ministers campaigned here but they even lost the one seat they had. People here have defeated communal forces: Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, CPI-M pic.twitter.com/NxVeU2PfKR
– ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2021
“Kerala has given a verdict in favor of the LDF. But this is not the time to celebrate with great joy as COVID-19 continues to spread. This is the time to continue the fight against COVID-19,” said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Kerala Results 2021: “Results Not As Expected,” Says Congress
“We accept the results are not as expected, especially in Assam and Kerala. It’s a worrying aspect that we didn’t win in Kerala and Assam. We will be a responsible opposition in both states. We congratulate the Left and Pinaryi Vijayan,” said Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.
Congratulations to the Chief Minister of Kerala Shri @vijayanpinarayi on his party’s victory in Kerala Assembly elections. My best wishes to him for his next tenure.
– Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 2, 2021
Congratulations @vijayanpinarayi and the LDF on your success in the Assembly election in Kerala. Good wishes for your next tenure.
– Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) May 2, 2021
Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja wins Mattannur constituency.
She says, “The LDF in Kerala got a thumping victory in assembly elections and are thankful to people of Kerala.” pic.twitter.com/dr9oOBzmVq
– ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2021
Kerala Results 2021: “People Asserted Regional Pride Through Results,” Tweets HD Kumaraswamy
“People of the country have asserted regional pride through the results of these elections to different state assemblies. These results are a fresh example of people rallying behind leaders of regional parties who have won their hearts,” tweeted HD Kumaraswamy.
“This government is known for its corrupt practices. I don’t understand why such a massive mandate was given to the existing chief minister in this election. This needs to be studied carefully,” said Kerala Congress President Mullappally Ramachandran, reported news agency ANI.
Congratulations to Mr. @vijayanpinarayi on a historical consecutive victory in the Kerala elections.
Together we fought these elections and now together we will fight the battle against Covid!– Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) May 2, 2021
Congratulations to our senior leader Shri P. C. Chacko for playing a crucial role in NCP’s success in Kerala assembly polls. I am sure that he will continue to contribute towards strengthening NCP in the state in future.
– Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) May 2, 2021
Kerala Results 2021: “He Should Have Our Support”: Shashi Tharoor Congratulates Pinarayi Vijayan
“My congratulations to @CMOKerala @vijayanPinarayi for his remarkable re-election, a first in 44 years. It is our duty to respect the confidence the people have shown in him & his government. In the fight against #Covid & communalism, he should have our support,” tweeted Shashi Tharoor on LDF’s historic win.
“People of Kerala have always shown their cleverness and commitment towards secular and welfare political ideology. I congratulate comrade Pinarayi Vijayan on his and LDF’s consecutive victory,” tweeted former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy tagging Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
People of Kerala have always shown their cleverness and commitment towards secular and welfare political ideology. I congratulate comrade Pinarayi Vijayan on his and LDF’s consecutive victory.@vijayanpinarayi
– H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) May 2, 2021
CPIM’s KK Ramachandran wins by a margin of 27,353 votes over UDF’s Sunil Anthikkad from Puthukkad assembly constituency, according to the Election Commission.
(PTI)
KK Shailaja has won from Mattannur constituency. She speaks to NDTV as Left is set to return to power in Kerala.
#KeralaElections | “Was always confident of victory”: KK Shailaja, Kerala Health Minister#ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/PKSjYqFPor
– NDTV (@ndtv) May 2, 2021
Metroman E Sreedharan trailing by 3,840 votes in Kerala’s Palakkad constituency.
Kerala Election Results 2021: “Admitting Defeat,” Says Leader Of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala
“We are admitting defeat. This was an unexpected verdict. We will introspect into our functioning. We had exposed the loot and corruption by LDF in Kerala. This does not mean that those issues can be washed away. I congratulate all the winners,” Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala as LDF heads for historic win.
Kerala Election Results 2021: Health Minister KK Shailaja Wins By Record Margin
Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja wins from Kerala’s Mattannur constituency by a record margin of 60,963 votes.
“Mathew Thomas, who contested as a JDS candidate from Kerala’s Thiruvalla, has won by over 10,000 votes. Thanks to all the activists and leaders of Kerala JDS who worked hard for the victory,” Janta Dal (Secular) tweeted.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, seeking a second consecutive term in office, is leading by a margin of over 40,000 votes.
Kerala Election Results 2021: “Counting Has Not Slowed Down,” Says Election Commission
“Counting has not slowed down, due to heavy load the server has slowed down. Counting is continuing in the constituencies without any let-up,” said Election Commission of India, reported news agency ANI.
Kerala Assembly Election Result 2021: Latest Leads As At 3:08 pm
Latest leads show LDF leading in 93 seats, UDF leading in 46 and BJP in none as at 3:08 pm.
Kerala Assembly Election Result 2021: Latest Leads As At 2:53 pm
Latest leads show LDF leading in 93 seats, UDF leading in 45 and BJP in 1 as at 2:53 pm.
Kerala Election Results 2021: Metroman E Sreedharan Trails Behind Congress’ Shaafi parambil
Congres candidate Shaafi Parambil now gaining lead against BJP candidate “Metroman” E Sreedharan in Kerala’s Palakkad.
Kerala Election Results 2021: Latest Leads At 2:29 pm
Latest leads show LDF leading in 91 seats, UDF leading in 45 and BJP in 3 as at 2:29 pm.
If they win, the Left bloc will buck the over four-decade-old trend of swinging between the Communists and the Congress-headed UDF in the state.
As per theElection Commission figures, the LDF is ahead in 85 seats, while the opposition Congress-headed UDF is leading in 44 segments and the BJP-NDA in three constituencies, reported news agency ANI.
Track Kerala Election Results 2021 here.
Find the Kerala heatmap here.
See candidates who are leading as at 1:49 pm here.
Compare Kerala Election Results 2021 with 2016 here.
“This is a significant victory as in the past 40 years no government has beeb re-elected for a second successive term. This shows people of Kerala have appreciated the performance of the Pinarayi Vijayan government – the way it tackled floods, COVID and pro-people development,” said CPIM’s Prakash Karat, reported news agency ANI.
Kerala Election Results 2021: “Prohibit Victory Celebrations Urgently,” Poll Body Writes To States, Union Territories
The Election Commission of India has written to the Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories to “prohibit victory celebrations urgently”, reported news agency ANI.
Kerala Election Results 2021: Health Minister KK Sahilaja Speaks To NDTV
“The Opposition must realise that in a democracy and during hardships they are not anti-government. If there are allegations and evidences, bring them forward. You can’t be endlessly raising one allegation after the other without evidence,” KK Shailaja tells NDTV on charges of corruption levelled by the Opposition.
Kerala Election Results 2021: “People Are With US,” Says KK Shailaja
“We had lots of developmental activities, reforms in education, health sector. The people are with us. During hardships how the government acts is most important. We had floods, hurricane, NIPAH, Covid. But what did the government do? It worked with people, provided for them. We supplied 20,000 crore food kits – our people reached each house, checked on people. Through our one and a half years we have been working towards defeating Covid. Our preparedness helped us immensely. We were arranging oxygen supply non-stop. We believe we can flatten the curve,” KK Shailaja tells NDTV.
“The considerable lead is not only for me, but for the party. Our chief minister has announced all through that we will be coming back in this election. We were sure that we would be re-elected because of our developmental measures. I cannot say if I will be the health minister – that’s for the Left front to decide,” KK Shailaja tells NDTV.
KK Shailaja, Kerala’s health minister, was lauded globally and the Kerala Model hailed the world over for successfully containing the spread of coronavirus in the state.
Kerala Election Results 2021: NDTV Projections At 12:22 pm
NDTV Projections: LDF heading towards 90 seats versus UDF’s 45-50 seats
Kerala Election Results 2021: CPIM Leading On 56 Seats
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is leading on 56 seats, followed by Congress on 23 seats, officials trends show. The BJP is leading on three seats, reported news agency ANI.
Official trends | Suresh Gopi, BJP candidate from Thrissur, leading from the Assembly constituency. #KeralaElections2021
– ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2021
Kerala Assembly Election Results: Latest Leads At 11:34 am
Latest leads show LDF leading in 86 seats, UDF leading in 49 and BJP in 4 as at 11:34 am.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is leading from Kerala’s Dharmadam Assembly Constituency, watches the election trends along with party members
Kerala Election Results 2021: CPIM Leading On 49 Seats
Communist Party of India (Marxist) is leading on 49 seats in Kerala Assembly elections as counting of votes underway in the state, reported news agency ANI.
Jose K Mani, the Kerala Congress (M) chief who recently joined the LDF camp after snapping decades-old ties with the UDF, is trailing by nearly 2,000 votes against his rival and sitting MLA, Mani C Kappan, the poll body said.
Poonjar sitting MLA and Kerala Janapaksham Secular leader, PC George is trailing by a massive margin of over 8,000 votes, it said.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy maintained their leads in Haripad and Puthupally constituencies respectively.
BJP candidates “Metroman” E Sreedharan and Kummanam Rajasekharan are also leading in Palakkad and Nemom constituencies respectively. Rajya Sabha MP and actor Suresh Gopi is trailing in Thrissur.
KT Jaleel, the former higher education minister who resigned recently following nepotism charges, is trailing, as per poll body figures.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is leading by 3,351 votes in his home turf against his nearest rival C Raghunathan of the Congress, according to Election Commission (EC) figures.
Ministers, KK Shailaja, AC Moideen, E Chandrasekharan, Kadakampally Surendran and MM Mani are leading in their respective constituencies, while their cabinet colleagues TP Ramakrishnan and J Mercykutty Amma are trailing.
The ruling LDF continues to maintain its lead in 88 of the 140 assembly constituencies in Kerala while the opposition Congress-led UDF is ahead in 48 segments and BJP in three, as per trends available till 11:06 am.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) leading on 38 seats in Kerala Assembly elections as counting of votes is underway in the state, reported news agency ANI.
The counting for 140 seats in the state begun at 8 am today with all necesary COVID-19 protocol in place. The Election Commission has made necessary arrangements for counting, which is taking place amid an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.
“Metroman” E Sreedharan, BJP candidate from Kerala’s Palakkad, leading from the constituency
Kerala Election Results 2021: Leads At 10:20 am
Latest leads show LDF ahead in 85 seats, UDF in 51 and BJP in 1 as at 10:20 am.
A decade ago I planted a mango tree in the grounds of the Neyyattinkara Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), a teaching hospital in my constituency. It has produced a bumper crop of fruits this year! A metaphor for other fruitful results to come, I hope?! pic.twitter.com/yN61EMdFQv
– Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 2, 2021
Kerala Election Results 2021: Leads At 10:15 am
Latest leads show LDF ahead in 79 seats, UDF in 56 and BJP in 2 as at 10:15 am.
Keral Election Results: Oommen Chandy Leading From Puthuppally
Former Chief Minister and Congress candidate Oommen Chandy is leading from Kerala’s Puthuppally, reports news agency ANI.
The ruling LDF in Kerala is leading in 77 of the total 140 seats while opposition UDF is ahead in 58 as counting of votes for the April 6 assembly elections is currently underway.
Initial trends indicated that the BJP-led NDA is ahead in two seats-Palakkad, where “Metroman” E Sreedharan is contesting and Nemom, the lone seat won by the party in the 2016 assembly polls, reported news agency PTI.
Early leads showed that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Health Minister KK Shailaja, former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala leading in their respective constituencies, while BJP state chief K Surendran was trailing in both the seats – Konni and Manjeswaram – he contested from.
As per the Election Commission website, the ruling CPI(M) was leading in five, CPI in two and the opposition Congress in five.
Kerala Election Results 2021: Left Crosses Majority Mark At 9:20 am
Left alliance zooms past majority mark in leads and is ahead in 72 Assembly seats. Congress alliance ahead in 52 and BJP in 1 as at 9:20 am.
Kerala Election Results 2021: Leads At 9:14 am
LDF leading in 68 seats, UDF in 48 and BJP in 3 as at 9:14 am.
The LDF races ahead in Kerala. Latest leads show LDF leading in 61 seats, UDF leading in 47 and BJP in 4 as at 9:03 am.
Kerala Election Results 2021: Left Continues To Maintain Edge Over Congress-Led Bloc
The LDF continues to maintain an edge in Kerala. Latest leads show LDF leading in 44 seats while UDF leading in 37 as at 8:47 am.
In Kerala, LDF and UDF are neck and neck. The incumbent LDF is hoping to buck a 40-year tradition and win re-election. The Congress-led UDF is the other main alliance.
Kerala Election Results 2021: Leads At 8:42 am
The Left front ahead in 38 and the Congress alliance in in 34 at 8:42 am in a close to call battle.
Pinarayi Vijayan, who contests from Dharmadam, has steered Kerala through several challenges in the past five years, including the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
If exit polls hold true, the 76-year-old CPI-M leader could become the third Chief Minister in the state’s history to be re-elected and the first to continue in office after completing a full term, reported news agency ANI.
The LDF is ahead in 27 seats while the UDF is leading in 26 with BJP gaining 3 as at 8:32 am.
Candidates and polling agents are allowed into the counting centres only if they have been administered both the doses of Covid vaccine or if they are carrying a Covid negative certificate due to the tidal wave of infections in the state amid the devastating second wave of coronavirus, reported news agency PTI.
The ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front, opposition Congress-headed United Democratic Front (UDF) and the BJP-NDA had put up a fierce fight in the run up to the polls.
Of the 633 halls in 114 counting centres in Kerala, 527 have been earmarked for tabulating Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) votes, while the remaining 106 will count the over four lakh postal votes, reported news agency PTI.
Of the 2.74 crore electorate in the state, 2.03 crore had exercised their franchise in the polls.
Counting of votes, polled in the April 6 Kerala Assembly elections, began this morning with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols, reported news agency PTI.
The postal votes were taken up for counting first when it began at 8 am.
The outcome will decide the fate of 975 candidates, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, senior Congress leader Oommen Chandy, “Metroman” E Sreedharan and former Union Minister KJ Alphons.
The counting for the Malappuram Lok Sabha bypoll is also being held today.