LDF wave in Kerala, BJP all set to open account

Kochi: The Chief Minister led LDF has taken a major lead in the Kerala Assembly polls with the party leading at 87 seats out of the 140 seats. For the first time, the BJP has given signals of opening its account in the state Assembly with it leading in three seats.
The UDF is leading only in 49 seats and five of its ministers are trailing. The UDF has received severe set back in districts like Kollam, Thrissur, Kannur and Kozhikode.
CPM politburo member and chief minister aspirant Pinarayi Vijayan has recorded a lead of over 13,000 votes in Dharmadom.V S Achuthanandan another chief minister aspirant of the LDF is leading by 5000 votes in Palakkad.
Former finance minister K M Mani is having a tough battle in Pala where he is leading only with 200 votes when the last reports came in. Meanwhile chief minister Oommen Chandy has taken a comfortable lead of over 8000 votes in Puthupally.
For the BJP O Rajagopal has crossed a lead of over 5000 in Nemom, Ravisha Thantri in kasargod has crossed 3000 lead and P S Sreedhran Pillai is leading by 2000 votes in Chengannur. P C George is the lone independent candidate who has taken a comfortable lead in Poonjar.