Although the CPM-led LDF retained energy in Kerala with 99 seats, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) chairman Jose Okay Mani misplaced from his social gathering’s residence land Pala.
Jose misplaced Pala, which his father late Okay M Mani represented for half-a-century, to NCP-Kerala chief and sitting legislator Mani C Kappan. The NCP-Kerala chief had received the seat within the by-election held in 2019 after the loss of life of Okay M Mani. Kappan retained Pala for a margin of 15,000-odd votes.
Jose’s social gathering bagged 5 seats for the LDF in central Kerala, however the lack of Pala is a setback for him. The Junior Mani had stop as a member of the Rajya Sabha early this 12 months to contest the election from Pala, in a bid to assert the legacy of his father. If he had received elected, Jose would have emerged as a key determine within the new Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet.
Jose had earlier received elected to the Rajya Sabha on a UDF ticket when his social gathering had been an ally of the UDF. After shifting to the LDF, he had stop the RS membership on ethical grounds.
In the LDF, Jose had confronted protests from a piece of CPM staff who’ve been historically in opposition to the Kerala Congress (M). In reality, days earlier than elections, KC (M) staff had clashed with the CPM in Pala.
On Sunday, Jose blamed his rival’s underhand take care of the BJP for his defeat.
In a saving grace for Jose, his rival P J Joseph’s Kerala Congress received solely two seats out of the ten it contested.