UDF gains lead in local body byelections

THRIUVANANTHAPURAM: The UDF triumphed over the LDF in the local bodies’ bypoll held in 23 wards in different parts of the state, as its nominees romped home in 13 seats. In the bypoll held in the Manamboor division of the Thiruvananthapuram district panchayat, S Juliet of the CPI became victorious with a margin of 3,177 votes. In  Lourdepuram and Pulluvila wards of Athiyanoor block, V Salam and A Lordan won the seats with a margin of 272 and 186 votes respectively.UDF nominees took the mantle in 11 places where byelection was held to municipalities and Grama Panchayats,leaving nine to the LDF. While the LDF wrested a ward each in the Aluva and Perinthalmanna municipalities as well as a ward in Kottayi Grama Panchayat from the UDF,the former surrendered the sitting seats in Kalakkallu in Alagappa Nagar Grama Panchayat and Santhigram ward in Manjeri municipality to the latter.