Kochi: VP Abdul Rasheed, who made massive gains in the Dharmadam constituency against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, said that irrespective of the final result, it is already a victory for him. Dharmadam, located in Kannur district, is a stronghold of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM, which Vijayan won by a margin of over 50,000 votes in the 2021 elections.
Rasheed's Statement on Early Leads
Speaking about the counting trends, Rasheed said, "After five rounds, the chief minister of Kerala would have usually gained a lead of 25,000 votes. But in the first five rounds, he could not secure the lead in any. This is equal to victory. In all the regions where we had the freedom to work, where we could stick posters, do house visits, and where I could conduct campaigning, I can say with pride that we have secured a lead."
Political Failure for Vijayan
Rasheed further stated that this outcome represents a political failure for Pinarayi Vijayan. He noted that Vijayan did not secure a lead even in the panchayat where his house is located. "He should take responsibility for this failure," Rasheed added.
Remaining Counting and Allegations
Rasheed mentioned that the panchayats where counting needs to be completed are Piralassery, Pinarayi, and Dharmadom. He alleged that in regions where his campaign was blocked, his posters and boards were widely removed, and his party was not allowed to sit in booths. "There was massive spending here by CPM. Over Rs 40 crore was spent, including a show by Vedan. Money was lavishly spent in the last six days. Despite all that, the gains we have made are massive. The United Democratic Front (UDF) has already secured a political victory here," he said.
Election Results 2026 Overview
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, led by Vijay, has emerged as a formidable force in Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile, in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee lags behind Suvendu Adhikari after the second round in Bhabanipur. The TVK is pushing the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) to the margins, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may oust Mamata in Bengal and retain Assam.
Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends, and full coverage for Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry on Times of India.
