Setback for UDF in Aluva Municipality

ALUVA: In a setback to the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF), CPM candidate K V Sudhakaran has won the byelection for Oomankuzhithadam ward of Aluva Municipality by wresting the seat from the Congress.With this victory, the strength of the Opposition has gone up to five in the 23-member council. Sudhakaran defeated Congress candidate Anand George by a margin of 31 votes. The byelection had been necessitated following the death of Congress councillor Michael George Pattamana. In the previous election, Michael had defeated Sudhakaran by a margin of eight votes.“The poll result is a verdict against the anti-people attitude of the ruling front,” said CPM local committee secretary Sageer.