Kottayam: The ruling CPI(M)-led LDF in Kerala on Friday won the by-election to Pala assembly constituency, wresting the seat from the opposition Congress-led UDF. LDF candidate Mani C Kappen defeated Jose Tom Pulikkunnel of the opposition Congress-led UDF in a closely contested fight. Kappen, leader of the Nationalist Congress Party, defeated Pulikkunnel, a faction leader of the Kerala Congress (M) by 2,943 votes. Pala was a bastion of the Congress-led UDF, held by veteran leader and former Finance Minister K M Mani for the last five decades.

The bypoll was necessitated due to the demise of Mani in April. The win has come as a huge relief to the LDF after its rout in the Lok Sabha polls. The bypoll was viewed as an acid test for UDF and the BJP headed NDA as a victory would have given a boost to the prospects of the three major combines in the by-elections to five more assembly constituencies, scheduled for October 21. While Kappen's victory is a big morale booster for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government, the results will put the UDF on the back foot for the October 21 bypolls. The victory will also give Chief Minister Vijayan the confidence to carry forward his party's social and economic agenda in the state.