The principal Opposition Congress-led UDF is poised to get the better of the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF in the local body elections in Kerala, according to early trends of counting of votes Saturday. The UDF is leading in the urban civic bodies as well as in three-tier rural local bodies across the state.

The UDF is leading in four out of six municipal corporations. Of 87 municipalities, it is leading in 49 as against the LDF’s 30. The UDF is also leading in eight of 14 district panchayats as against the LDF’s six. In 2020, the LDF had bagged 11 district panchayats.

Of 941 gram panchayats, where the LDF had a significant edge in the last two elections, the UDF has gained a lead in 368 gram panchayats as compared to the LDF’s 359.

The BJP-led NDA, which won from 23 gram panchayats in

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