LDF retains UDF strong hold

The result came. George M. Thomas, the ruling CPM candidate won the Thiruvambadi by-election by a nominal margin of 246 votes. He defeated V.M. Ummer Master of Indian Union Muslim League, a United Democratic Front (UDF) coalition partner.

The UDF camp was on very high when polling was completed on 4^th December with record 84.21 per cent voters casted their votes. They have all rights to believe that the upset happened approximately seven months back was only because of anti-incumbency factor against the then ruling UDF government and hoped for a complete victory this time. But when counting started today at West Hill Polytechnic, Calicut, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate took lead right from the start of counting of postal votes began. Then for a short time Ummer Master took the lead and after 2 rounds of counting completed George M. Thomas regained his lead and marched upto 2800 votes lead.

But the drama is yet to come. When 70 per cent of the counting completed, the lead of LDF candidate began to dip. He came down from 2800 to 124 lead and handed over a handsome lead of more than 600 votes to his opponent when the 95 per cent of votes counted. But the lead of Ummer Master also began to dip and after 98 per cent of votes counted George M. Thomas regained his lead once again.

The final 2 per cent of counting belongs to George M. Thomas. He gradually strengthened the lead and finally declared the winner with a majority of 246 votes as well. In all aspects this photo-finish resembles a one-day cricket international. The politicians, voters and viewers felt the pressure and tension.

It was the day many people of Kerala eagerly looked into their political life. The by-election in Thiruvambadi assembly constituency was declared after the death of sitting MLA Mathai Chacko. The late member was elected during the April 2006 election by toppling the UDF candidate M.C. Mayin Hajee for more than 5000 votes. Traditionally Thiruvambadi remained as a UDF strong hold. But two recent elections in 2006 proved very tough for them and the opposition LDF marched to victory.