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Kerala's 140 assemblies witnessed with 50 per cent of the voters casting their votes by 1 pm, the EC said. This election will decide whether the LDF will get a straight third term, or if the UDF makes a comeback, or if BJP springs a surprise in an otherwise bipolar battle.

Rahul Gandhi targeted the LDF in Kerala’s Idukki, raising concerns over agrarian distress, land rights, unemployment and human-animal conflict. He also alleged a nexus between the LDF and BJP while highlighting healthcare gaps and unfulfilled promises

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing BJP booth workers in Kerala ahead of the April 9 Assembly elections, accused the Congress and Left parties of aligning with fundamentalist forces to divide society and tarnish India’s global image. He urged voters to give BJP-NDA a chance, citing the party’s local poll gains in Thiruvananthapuram.

Political row erupts in Kerala over Social Democratic Party of India support, with Communist Party of India (Marxist) saying it won’t refuse votes, while Indian National Congress alleges a tacit deal ahead of Assembly polls

Tensions escalated within Kerala’s ruling LDF after Education Minister V. Sivankutty criticised the CPI for celebrating the State’s withdrawal from the PM SHRI scheme. Sivankutty warned that the decision could affect Rs 15,000 crore in Samagra Shiksha Kerala funds

Congress leaders condemned the alleged police assault on MP Shafi Parambil, claiming it was an attempt by the CPI(M) government to divert attention from irregularities at the Sabarimala shrine. The incident sparked statewide protests and police cases against over 700 people

Opposition MLAs in Kerala disrupted Assembly proceedings for the second day, demanding the resignation of the Devaswom Minister over alleged irregularities in Sabarimala’s gold-plated idols. The government defended itself, citing the SIT probe ordered by the Kerala High Court

The Global Ayyappa Sangamam in Kerala ended with a political row, as the ruling LDF hailed it a success while the opposition UDF dismissed it as a flop, alleging poor turnout, political motives, and attempts to woo Hindu voters

UDF's Chandy Oommen, LDF candidate Jaick C Thomas and BJP's G Lijin Lal have exuded confidence about winning the election, citing various factors.

It is the second stint of the Marxist veteran in the top office.

Severe organisational weaknesses of the Congress and the BJP's foray into the traditional anti-Left support-base also helped the LDF coast to victory comfortably, winning 87 of the total of 140 seats so far

"The CPI(M)-led LDF will play its due role in this and we expect that the people of Kerala who have always stood up as one will continue to do so in a more stronger manner," he said.

As per the Election 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.

The ruling LDF is hoping to retain power for a second consecutive term breaking the state's four-decades-old trend of alternating between the UDF every five year.

Left front was leading in 514 grama panchayats, five corporations and 11 district panchayats, prompting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to attribute the good show to the people of the state

The counting began at 244 centres at 8.00 am and the final results were expected to be out by noon, Election Commission sources here said.

Cutting across villages and cities, voters could be seen wearing masks and maintaining social distance adhering to COVID-19 protocols.