While Khader got 65,227 votes, CPM candidate P.P. Basheer came second with 41,917 votes followed by SDPI candidate K.C. Naseer and BJP candidate K. Janachandran in the third and fourth positions.Malappuram: The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key partner in the Congress-led UDF opposition in Kerala, Sunday retained the Vengara Assembly seat by defeating its nearest rival CPM candidate in the by-poll.
IUML candidate K.N.A. Khader won the seat with a margin of 23,310 votes over CPM nominee P.P. Basheer.
While Khader got 65,227 votes, Basheer came second with 41,917 votes followed by SDPI candidate K.C. Naseer (8,648 votes) and BJP candidate K. Janachandran (5,728 votes) in the third and fourth positions.
Khader thanked the people of the constituency after the victory.
"I am going back with lots of happiness as the Left did their best to see the back of me, but I managed to win easily. I thank all the people of this constituency and the UDF leaders," said Khader.
A total of 502 voters pressed the NOTA button.
The by-election was necessitated when sitting legislator and top IUML leader P.K. Kunhalikutty vacated the seat after he was elected from the Malappuram Lok Sabha constituency in April.
IUML's victory margin drops
IUML - the second biggest constituent of the Congress-led UDF - had fielded two-time former legislator Khader. However, the UDF's victory margin was less than it received in the 2016 assembly polls, in the segment considered to be a stronghold of the IUML.
In the Lok Sabha polls, Kunhalikutty had secured a margin of over 40,000 votes, while at the 2016 assembly polls he got a margin of over 38,000 votes.
However, senior Congress leader A.K. Antony said Khader may not have the same influence as Kunhalikutty, who was from Vengara.
Kunhalikutty said the LDF's 'solar' bomb has not affected the mood of the electorate. The LDF government had on the day of polling ordered for a Vigilance probe would against former chief minister Oommen Chandy in the multi-score solar scam.
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UDF Wins Vengara
Celebrations erupt in Vengara as IUML, a key partner in the Congress-led UDF, wins the by-poll. Photo: Sameer A. Hameed
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UDF Wins Vengara
UDF candidate K.N.A. Khader on a victory lap with his supporters in Vengara. Photo: Sameer A. Hameed
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UDF Wins Vengara
Vengara goes green as supporters poured on to the streets after Khader won the assembly seat with a margin of 23,310 votes. Photo: Sameer A. Hameed
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UDF Wins Vengara
The newly formed constituency had registered a record a 72.12 percentage voter turnout during the by-election held on October 11.Photo: Sameer A. Hameed
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UDF Wins Vengara
Khader thanks all the people of the constituency. Photo: Sameer A. Hameed
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UDF Wins Vengara
IUML leader P.K. Kunhalikutty joins in the celebrations after UDF candidate Khader wins the Vengara by-poll. Photo: Sameer A. Hameed
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UDF Wins Vengara
The UDF's victory margin was less than it received in the 2016 assembly polls, in the segment considered to be a stronghold of the IUML. Photo: Sameer A. Hameed
![UDF Wins Vengara]()
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UDF Wins Vengara
LDF's P.P. Basheer came second with 41,917 votes. SDPI's K.C. Naseer got 8,648votes and BJP candidate K. Jayachandran secured 5,728 votes. Photo: Sameer A. Hameed
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Leader of the opposition in the Kerala Assembly, Ramesh Chennithala, said even after LDF 'misused' official machinery, the UDF candidate won the by-election.
LDF breaks the IUML myth?
Basheer said that he has been able to break the myth that the IUML was all prevailing and powerful.
"Just see the votes that we have managed to get and we could take the fight a into several strongholds of the IUML," he added.
Meanwhile, CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the results showed that the Congress-led opposition was on its way out.
"The IUML might have a technical victory, but we have scored a political victory."
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the LDF had put up a good fight in Vengara. He also said that the BJP has suffered a huge setback and cautioned that the SDPI's growth needs to be checked.
Read: Vengara Indepth coverage | Vengara gets high on ink, sets record
