LDF regains power in Kerala, BJP opens account; CPI(M) focuses on finalising CM

May 19, 2016

Thiruvananthapuram, May 19: CPI(M)-led LDF regained power in Kerala cruising to a comfortable majority by inflicting a massive drubbing to the ruling Congress-headed UDF in the assembly polls which also saw BJP scripting history by opening its account in the state assembly.

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LDF won 91 of the 140 assembly seats at stake. The result of Wadakkancherry is yet to be declared officially where UDF candidate Anil Akkara has won by a margin of just three votes.
The Left Democratic Front (LDF) won 85 seats on its own and another six by independents fielded by the opposition front.

93-year-old V S Achutanandan, the face of the LDF campaign and CPI(M) polit bureau member Pinarayi Vijayan, Thomas Issac, E P Jayarajan and actor Mukesh are among prominent winners in the LDF.

BJP's leader and former Union minister O Rajagopal won from Nemom by defeating CPI(M) MLA V Sivankutty by a margin of 8,671 votes.

Though senior BJP leaders like state president Kummanam Rajasekharan and former president V Muraleedharan, were among the prominent losers, the fact that the party managed to break the jinx and enter the assembly for the first time is itself politically significant.

Cricketer Sreesanth failed to impress in his debut outing in the poll and secured only 34,764 votes. Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) had to bite the dust with a meagre 46 seats. The UDF could manage 12 seats in Malappuram, the stronghold of IUML, a key partner of the Front and also in Ernakulam where it won nine seats.

LDF made massive inroads in Thrissur, Kannur, Kozhikode, Kollam, Alapuzha and Thiruvananthapuram districts by capturing maximum seats. In Thrissur, out of 13 constituencies, all except one went to LDF. In Kollam all 10 seats were won by LDF.

While Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, former Finance minister K M Mani, who had to resign in the backdrop of bar bribery allegations, were among those who survived the LDF onslaught, four of his cabinet colleagues, K Babu, who also was under the cloud of bar scam, Shibu Baby John (RSP), K P Mohanan (JDU), P K Jayalakshmi (Congress) fell by the wayside.

Speaker N Shakthan, Deputy Speaker Palode Ravi and Congress leaders K Sudhakaran, Pandalam Sudhakaran, former minister, Dominic Presentation, Padmaja Venugopal and Shanimol Osman were among the prominent losers in the UDF camp.

Reacting to the massive defeat, Chandy said the results were a "setback" and UDF would discuss in detail the results of the unexpected rout.

"We did not expect such a defeat. Both party and the front have responsibility in the defeat. I have more responsibility because I am the front chairman," he said.

Also Read :

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No major surprise in Kasaragod district: Muslim League 2, CPI(M) 2, CPI 1

CPI(M) worker killed in a bomb attack in Kannur amid LDF victory celebrations

Thanks for all the love... It's just a beginning, says Sreesanth after defeat

BJP scripts history in Kerala as 86-year-old Rajagopal wins Nemom Seat

Abdul Razak retains Manjeshwar; BJP loses by 89 votes

No Modi wave in Kasaragod: Muslim League's Nellikkunnu defeats Thantri

Winners' List

Thiruvananthapuram — V.S. Sivakumar won by 10905 votes
Nemom — O Rajagopal won
Vattiyoorkavu K. Muraleedharan won by 7622 votes
Kovalam Adv. M. Vincent won by 2615 votes
Chirayinkeezhu — V. Sasi won by 14322 votes
Aruvikkara — K.S. Sabarinadhan won by 21314 votes
Parassala — C.K. Harindran won by 18566 votes
Varkala — Adv. V. Joy won by 2386 votes
Vamanapuram — Adv. D.K. Murali won by 9596 votes
Attingal — Adv. B. Satyan won by 40383 votes
Kazhakoottam — Kadakampalli Surendran won by 7347 votes
Neyyatinkara — K. Ansalan won by 9314 votes
Nedumangad — C. Divakaran won by 3621 votes
Kattakkada — I.B. Satheesh won by 849 votes

Kollam — M. Mukesh won by 17241 votes
Karunagappally — R. Ramachandran won by 1759 votes
Chavara — N. Vijayan Pillai won by 6189 votes
Chadayamangalam — Mullakkara Ratnakaran won by 21928 votes
Kunnathur —Kovoor Kunjumon won by 20529 votes
Pathanapuram — K.B. Ganesh Kumar won by 24562 votes
Chathannoor — G.S. Jayalal won by 34407 votes
Eravipuram — M. Noushad won by 28803 votes
Punalur — Adv. K. Raju won by 33582 votes
Kundara — J. Mercy Kutty Amma won by 30460 votes
Kottarakkara — Adv. P. Aisha Potty won by 42632 votes

Thiruvalla — Adv. Mathew T. Thomas won by 8242 votes
Aranmula — Veena George won by 7646 votes
Ranni — Raju Abraham won by 14596 votes
Adoor — Chittayam Gopakumar won by 25460 votes
Konni — Adoor Prakash Won by 20471 votes

Aroor — A.M. Ariff won by 38519 votes
Alappuzha — Dr. T.M. Thomas Issac won by 31032 votes
Ambalapuzha — G. Sudhakaran won by 22621 votes
Haripad — Ramesh Chennithala won by 18621 votes
Kayamkulam — Adv. U. Prathibha Hari won by 11857 votes
Kuttanad — Thomas Chandy won by 4891 votes
Mavelikkara — R. Rajesh won by 31542 votes

Puthuppally — Oommen Chandy won by 27092 votes
Pala — K.M. Mani won by 4703 votes
Kottayam — Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan won by 33635 votes
Changanassery — C.F. Thomas won by 1849 votes
Kanjirappally — Dr. N. Jayaraj won by 3890 votes
Poonjar — P.C. George won by 27821 votes
Ettumanoor — Suresh Kurup won by 8899 votes
Kaduthuruthy — Adv. Mons Joseph leads
Vaikom — C.K. Asha won by 24584 votes

Devikulam — S. Rajendran won by 5782 votes
Peermade — E.S. Bijimol won by 314 votes
Idukki — Roshy Augustine won by 9333 votes
Udumbanchola — M.M. Mani won by 1109 votes

Perumbavoor — Eldhose Kunnappilly won by 7088 votes
Angamaly — Roji M. John won by 9186 votes
Aluva — Anwar Sadath won by 18835 votes
Piravom — Anoop Jacob won by 6195 votes
Paravur — V.D. Satheesan won by 20634 votes
Ernakulam — Hibi Eden won by 21949 votes
Kunnathunad — V.P. Sajeendran won by 2679 votes
Thrikkakara — Adv. P.T. Thomas won by 11996 votes
Muvattupuzha — Eldho Abraham won by 9375 votes
Thrippunithura — Adv. M. Swaraj won by 4467 votes
Kalamassery — V.K. Ebrahim Kunhu won by 12118 votes

Palakkad — Shafi Parambil won by 17483 votes
Malampuzha — V.S. Achuthanandan won by 27142 votes
Ollur — Adv. K. Rajan won by 13248 votes
Kongad — K.V. Vijayadas won by 13271 votes
Pattambi — Muhammed Muhassin won by 7404 votes
Ottapalam — P. Unni won by 16088 votes
Manalur — Murali Perunelli won by 19325 votes
Thrissur — V.S. Sunilkumar won by 6987 votes
Nattika — Geetha Gopi won by 26777 votes
Kaipamangalam — E.T. Tyson won by 33440 votes
Mannarkkad — Adv. N. Samsudheen won by 12325 votes
Puthukkad — Prof. C. Raveendranath won by 38478 votes
Nenmara — K. Babu won by 7544 votes
Chelakkara — U.R. Pradeep won by 10200 votes
Kunnamkulam — A.C. Moideen won by 7782 votes
Guruvayoor — K.V. Abdul Khader won by 15098 votes
Irinjalakuda — Prof. K.U. Arunan won by 2711 votes
Kodungallur — V.R. Sunil Kumar won by 22791 votes
Alathur — K.D. Prasenan won by 36060 votes

Kondotty — T.V. Ibrahim won by 10654 votes
Wandoor — A.P. Anil Kumar won by 23864 votes
Payyannur — C. Krishnan won by 40263 votes
Kalliasseri — T.V. Rajesh won by 42891 votes
Taliparamba — James Mathew won by 40617 votes
Azhikode — K.M. Shaji won by 2284 votes
Nilambur — P.V. Anvar won by 11504 votes
Mattannur — E.P. Jayarajan won by 43381 votes
Wandoor — A.P. Anil Kumar won by 23864 votes
Manjeri — Adv. M. Ummer won by 19616 votes
Malappuram — P. Ubaidullah won by 35672 votes
Vengara — P.K. Kunhalikutty won by 38057 votes
Tirur — C. Mammootty won by 7061 votes

Vadakara — C.K. Nanu won by 9511 votes
Nadapuram — E.K. Vijayan won by 4759 votes
Balusseri — Purushan Kadalundi won by 15464 votes
Elathur — A.K. Saseendran won by 29057 votes
Kozhikode North — A. Pradeep Kumar won by 27823 votes
Kozhikode South — Dr. M.K. Muneer won by 6327 votes
Beypore — V.K.C. Mammad Koya won by 14363 votes
Kunnamangalam — Adv. P.T.A. Rahim won by 11205 votes
Koduvally — Karat Razak won by 573 votes
Thiruvambady — George M. Thomas won by 3008 votes

Mananthavady — O.R. Kelu won by 1307 votes
Sulthanbathery — I.C. Balakrishnan won by 11198 votes
Kalpetta — C.K. Sasindran won by 13083 votes

Manjeshwar — P.B. Abdul Razak won by 89 votes
Kasaragod — N.A. Nellikunnu won by 8607 votes
Udma — K. Kunhiraman won by 3832 votes
Kanhangad — E. Chandrasekharan won by 26011 votes
Trikaripur — M. Rajagopal won by 16418 votes

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January 1,2026

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Mangaluru, Jan 1: N. Vinay Hegde, Chancellor of NITTE (Deemed-to-be University) and Managing Director of K.S. Hegde Charitable Hospital, passed away in Mangaluru in the early hours of Wednesday, January 1, 2026. He was 86.

According to sources, Mr. Hegde breathed his last at around 2 a.m. at his residence, ‘Sadanand’, located at Shivabagh in the city.

A towering figure in the field of education and philanthropy, Mr. Hegde was the founder of the Nitte Group of Educational Institutions, which grew under his leadership into a major centre for higher education, particularly in medical, dental, engineering, and allied sciences. His vision played a key role in transforming the educational landscape of coastal Karnataka and beyond.

Born into a distinguished family, Mr. Hegde was the son of former Supreme Court judge Justice K.S. Hegde. He was also the brother of former Karnataka Lokayukta and former Supreme Court judge Justice N. Santosh Hegde.

He is survived by his wife Sujatha Hegde, son Vishal Hegde, and daughter Ashwita Poonja.

The mortal remains of Mr. Hegde will be kept for public viewing at his residence until 3 p.m. on January 1. Thereafter, they will be taken to the Nitte education campus, where the public can pay their last respects between 4.30 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Condolences poured in from across academic and public circles. In a condolence message, P.L. Dharma, Vice-Chancellor of Mangalore University, said Mr. Hegde’s passing marked the end of an era in the region’s educational history.

“It is the end of an era which witnessed a great transformation in the educational sector in undivided Dakshina Kannada. Indeed, he stitched broken hearts into one to practise coexistence and mutual respect. The entire student community and staff of Mangalore University salute him for his exemplary contribution to the nation and Dakshina Kannada in particular,” the message read.

Mr. Hegde’s legacy as an institution builder, educationist, and humanitarian is expected to endure through the vast network of institutions he established and nurtured.

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News Network
December 23,2025

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As part of her European tour, Karnataka Legislative Council Member and Vice Chairperson of the Karnataka NRI Forum, Dr. Arathi Krishna, met Michela Favaro, Deputy Mayor of Turin, to discuss key aspects of strengthening relations between Karnataka and Italy.

Dr. Arathi Krishna held the meeting along with Hemegowda, President of the Italy Kannada Association, and Mohamed Irshath, General Secretary for Europe of the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC).

The discussions focused on opportunities for the recruitment of Indian healthcare professionals in Italy, European–Italian language training programmes for Indian students, and broader avenues for academic and professional collaboration between the two countries.

The meeting was also attended by Simone Fissolo, President of the Moderati Council, along with Maria Bottoglieri and Francesco Tortorella, highlighting the growing institutional engagement aimed at fostering deeper bilateral cooperation.

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News Network
December 24,2025

A 30-year-old man from Kumragodu village in Brahmavar taluk has been cheated of Rs 15,95,005.90 in an online investment fraud linked to a bogus e-commerce and digital marketing scheme.

According to the complaint filed by Arun Acharya, he came across an advertisement on Instagram on July 22, 2024, posted by an entity calling itself “E BOSS Marketing & Services Company,” which claimed to offer lucrative opportunities in e-commerce, digital marketing, and dropshipping.

After contacting the mobile number mentioned in the advertisement, the accused began communicating with him via WhatsApp and provided training on investing money and earning profits. Initially, Arun received high returns on his investment, which helped gain his confidence.

Trusting the scheme to be genuine, he transferred money in phases between September 2024 and December 19, 2024, through NEFT transactions to bank accounts of E BOSS Marketing & Services Company, allegedly owned by one Har Simran Singh. The total amount transferred was Rs 15,95,005.90.

However, after receiving the money, the accused stopped paying returns and failed to refund the invested amount, thereby cheating the complainant.

Based on the complaint, Brahmavar police have registered a case under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act and are investigating the matter.

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