Kerala vote count: UDF leads in 11, BJP in one

Thiruvananthapuram, May 16 (IANS) The Congress-led UDF was ahead in 11 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala, while the BJP made headway in one, as counting reached its halfway mark Friday.

The Left Democratic Front is ahead in eight seats in the southern state.

Two major surprises appear to be in store on the counting day. The Bharatiya Janata Party is likely to open its account in Thiruvananthapuram as its veteran leader O. Rajagopal maintained a consistent lead.

With 70 percent of the polled votes accounted for, he led with a margin of 7,532 votes against union minister and sitting MP Shashi Tharoor.

Another surprise that appears to be in store in Chalakudy, where ace comedian and character artiste Innocent of the Left Democratic Front could have the final laugh.

With 43 percent of the votes already counted, Innocent is ahead of Congress strongman P.C. Chacko by 7,488 votes.

LDF candidates also surged ahead in Kannur, Kasargode, Attingal, Alalthur, Thrissur, Palakad, Idukki and Chalakudy constituencies, while the UDF led in Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Mavelikera, Kottayam, Vida Kara, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Ponnani, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kollam, and Pathanamthitta.

In 2009, the UDF won 16, while the LDF had won four Lok Sabha seats.