A showdown between the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) is being witnessed in Feroke municipality ahead of a crucial bypoll to the Kottappadam ward.
The bypoll has been necessitated by the death of Sabeena Mansoor of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). While the voting will take place on Tuesday, counting will be held on Wednesday.
The UDF has fielded E.K. Tahira of the IUML. V.P. Sarfina, an Independent, is the LDF candidate. The BJP has fielded Nisha Vishwanath, and two other Independents are also in the fray. Last time, the UDF candidate had won the seat by a margin of 136 votes against Beena Bai of the CPI(M).
The UDF, which has 17 members, runs the municipality with the support of two Independents, while the LDF has 18 members and the BJP, one.
It is not for the first time the UDF and the LDF are locking horns in Feroke municipality. Two months ago, the LDF had retained the Iriyampadam ward in a bypoll. Like last time a high voltage campaign has taken place now also.