Early trend favours LDF win in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, May 11 (UNI) The Marxist-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala established an edge over the Congress-led ruling coalition as per initial trends for the Assembly elections to the 140-member House, the counting for which began this morning.

The LDF is leading in 77 constituencies, while the United Democratic Front (UDF) managed to establish lead in 57 seats.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is leading by 1,419 votes, Leader of the Opposition and CPI(M) Politburo member V S Achuthanandan by 2,283 votes and LDF convener Paloli Mohammed Kutty by 7,929 votes over their respective rivals.

Former Union Minister and BJP leader O Rajagopal and Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran) leader K Muraleedharan are trailing.

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