Kerala local body polls: Ruling LDF set for sweep, BJP on way to better its 2015 show

The ruling CPI(M)-led  LDF  appeared set for a sweep in the local body polls in Kerala. The Left Democratic Front was leading in 514 of the 941 grama panchayats, five of the six city corporations and 11 of the 14 district panchayats. The Left front was also ahead in 108 block panchayats.

The UDF is leading in 375 grama panchayats, 44 block panchayats, 45 municipalities and three district panchayats. The BJP is ahead in 23 grama panchayats and two municipalities, including Pandalam, the centre of state-wide protests against the entry of women in Sabarimala temple.

Earlier, a total of 21,893 wards in 1,200 local self-governing bodies including 6 corporations, 941 village panchayats, 14 district panchayats and 87 municipalities, went to polls in three phases in the southern state on December 8, 10 and 14.

While the performance in the local body polls is often seen as a pointer to the upcoming assembly elections, the left has traditionally enjoyed an upper hand.  In 2015, they had nearly swept the civic polls by winning 549 village panchayats, 90 block panchayats, 44 municipalities and four corporations.

The left is hoping that a good performance will be seen as a thumbs up to its rule in the state led by CM Pinarayi Vijayan, whereas UDF will be looking to cash in on the recent debacles faced by the left including disastrous performance in Lok Sabha elections following Sabrimala protests. This time, the Congress-led UDF focused on various corruption charges against the government and controversies related to the gold smuggling case and allegations cropped up against the Chief Minister's office.

BJP on the other hand is looking to break the bipolar polity of the state led by UDF and LDF.