A sea of jubilant workers flooded the KPCC headquarters, raising slogans, beating drums, and distributing sweets as giant television screens showed the UDF steadily climbing past the halfway mark and then surging beyond the 100-seat mark in the 140-member Assembly. Photo: ANI video screenshot
Kerala polls: UDF surges ahead, jubilant scenes at Indira Bhavan
Congress-led front makes a historic comeback and surges past 100-seat mark, ending a decade of LDF rule as early trends show 14 ministers trailing
Thiruvananthapuram, May 4 (PTI) Congress-led UDF workers broke into euphoric celebrations at Indira Bhavan on Monday as early trends in the April 9 Assembly polls pointed to the front’s emphatic return to power in Kerala after a decade.
A sea of jubilant workers flooded the KPCC headquarters, raising slogans, beating drums, and distributing sweets as giant television screens showed the UDF steadily climbing past the halfway mark and then surging beyond the 100-seat mark in the 140-member Assembly.
Cheers turned into a frenzy the moment the tally crossed three digits, with workers leaping from their seats, embracing one another, and bursting crackers. Party flags fluttered across the premises, while giant cutouts of leaders formed the backdrop to the celebrations, which showed no signs of slowing down.
Senior leaders received a rousing welcome as they arrived at the venue. Ramesh Chennithala was greeted with thunderous applause, while K C Venugopal was escorted into the office amid chants and drumbeats.
Many workers lifted their leaders onto their shoulders in a spontaneous display of affection and triumph.
The loudest cheers, however, were reserved for Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan, whose confident prediction that the UDF would cross 100 seats appeared to be coming true.
As enthusiastic workers attempted to carry him on their shoulders, Satheesan was seen gently dissuading them, even as he acknowledged the crowd with folded hands.
Senior leaders Shashi Tharoor and K Sudhakaran were among those who reached the party headquarters to celebrate the massive victory.
The celebrations unfolded even as early counting trends indicated setbacks for the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF, with several ministers, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, trailing in their respective constituencies.
According to television reports, at least 14 ministers were behind in the race, including Veena George, M B Rajesh, O R Kelu, R Bindhu, J Chinchurani, P Rajeev, K B Ganesh Kumar, V N Vasavan, V Sivankutty, V Abdurahiman, A K Saseendran, Kadannappally Ramachandran, and Roshy Augustine.
As per available trends, the UDF was leading in nearly 100 seats, while the LDF was ahead in a little over 39 constituencies, with the BJP-led NDA opening its account in one seat.
With trends strongly favouring the opposition front, Indira Bhavan turned into a carnival-like scene, capturing the mood of a political comeback that UDF workers had been waiting for over the past ten years. PTI