As the LDF scored a clear victory across the state, it was the nonagenarian leader, VS Achuthanandan, who had the last laugh again, with a resounding win in the Malampuzha constituency. VS won the seat with a massive lead of 27,142 votes, over NDA candidate C Krishnakumar.
For the CPI (M) patriarch the challenge was not only in regard to rival parties, but also to avoid being rendered obsolete by fellow-party leader and politburo member, Pinarayi Vijayan. VS’s return to prominence in the elections came after repeated attempts to sideline him within his own party. Thus it was important for the veteran leader to silence critical voices both within and outside the party.
By not only matching the margin of 23,440 votes, by which he won in the 2011 assembly polls, but increasing his lead to 27,142 votes, VS has proven that he is still a formidable force in the Kerala electoral landscape.
Now, with the question of who will lead the LDF in government looming over the CPI (M), it remains to be seen whether VS's win will translate into election as the next Chief Minister, or if the party were only looking to use the ‘VS wave' as a convenient means for mobilisation until polling ends.
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