Thiruvananthapuram: LDF had identified BJP as its major opponent in city corporation and their main strategy was to use UDF’s follies to good effect to neutralize the saffron wave.
There was a mix of smartness and cunningness about the choices that LDF made in certain wards. LDF workers sniffed around UDF camps to sense traces of dissent and utilized discord in the ‘enemy camp’.
At Manikyavilakom, LDF ally INL fielded former Congress leader P M Basheer, who retained the ward, but for LDF this time. He became an LDF candidate after an open rift arose over the choice of Congress candidate at Manikyavilakom.
At Vettucaud, LDF saw Sabu Thomas drifting away from Congress and was quick to bring him to their fold. When the results were out UDF lost the sitting ward. Sabu Thomas won with a majority of 998 votes. Madhavadas, who was with UDF in the council in 2010, came to LDF camp this time and won from Thycaud.
Even in places where LDF was short of confidence, it didn’t break much sweat to bag those wards.
At Kinavoor, UDF’s bad choice meant their former member Sheeja Varghese fighting with Congress candidate Thressiamma Teacher. LDF candidate Surakumari won with a majority of 128 votes in the ward which had favoured UDF twice; in 2015 and later during the by-poll. Nanthencode, where Congress rebel Leelamma Issac and UDF candidate Sheela Ramani together got 1,305 votes, LDF candidate Dr Reena K S won by pocketing 1,273 votes.
LDF was not afraid to take the gamble in wards like Valiyathura, which had always voted for UDF. Despite Irine Das losing elections in 2015, LDF gave her a second chance to make history and she delivered, winning Valiyathura for the first time for LDF. While being in power, LDF launched a series of initiatives to take relief measures to coastal homes during the time of Ockhi, floods and Covid-19. The wards, which earlier remained allergic to the Left were suddenly drawn to the Red camp.
In the 26 wards under Vattiyoorkavu, where MLA V K Prasanth had made history in assembly polls, LDF increased its tally from 10 to 13 wards. It lost Nettayam and Kanjirampara mainly owing to its wrong decisions that dampened the morale of the cadre. Still, LDF made fresh headways in three new wards.
LDF had done just enough to repair roads, light up streets and clear dump yards just in the nick of time to win the wavering voters. Even with bonus returns from coastal wards and Vattiyoorkavu belt, LDF may have reasons not to be content with just meeting the absolute majority. However, severe erosion of UDF votes, especially in wards like Nedumcadu and PTP Nagar, cost LDF dearly. These seats went to BJP.