Despite statewide setback, LDF holds ground in Palakkad

Palakkad: LDF managed to contain its losses in Palakkad despite facing an adverse verdict across the state in the assembly elections.Of the 12 constituencies in the district, LDF retained seven seats, down from 10 in the previous election. While UDF improved its tally to five seats. UDF retained Mannarkkad and Palakkad while capturing Kongad, Chittur and Thrithala. In Mannarkkad, IUML candidate A Shamsudheen won by 23,903 votes. Among the gains, K A Thulasi (Kongad) won by 9,442 votes, Sumesh Achuthan (Chittur) by 6,510 votes, and V T Balram (Thrithala) by 8,385 votes. Despite retaining a majority, LDF candidates saw reduced victory margins in several constituencies. In Tarur, CPM candidate P P Sumod retained the seat with a margin of 11,910 votes, down from 24,531 previously. In Malampuzha, A Prabhakaran won by 19,721 votes, compared to 25,734 in the last election. In Pattambi, CPI's Muhammed Muhsin won by 9,442 votes. CPM's P Mammikkutty secured Shoranur with 16,517 votes, while A Preman won Nenmara by 3,305 votes. In Alathur, LDF candidate T M Shashi won by 8,583 votes. In Ottapalam, LDF's K Premkumar recorded the highest margin among Left candidates in the district, winning by 26,777 votes. The reduced margins and loss of seats indicate a noticeable shift in voter sentiment compared to the previous assembly election.