Kerala Local Body Polls Marred by Rebel Candidates, LDF, UDF, NDA Faced with Challenges

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Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's upcoming local body polls have been hit by a significant number of rebel candidates, posing a challenge to all three major fronts - LDF, UDF, and NDA - in various key areas. Despite efforts by parties such as CPI(M), CPI, Congress, and BJP to persuade their rebel leaders to withdraw their nominations, the number of rebels remains high. In the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation election, both the LDF and UDF have rebel candidates in at least five wards. The UDF faces a tough time in Kochi Corporation, where it has rebel candidates in nine seats. Thrissur Corporation has seen rebel candidates from Congress, CPI(M), and BJP in three, one, and one wards respectively. For the BJP, rebels pose a significant headache in several key local bodies. In Nedumangad municipality, the party faces a rebel in one seat where a woman leader had attempted suicide after being denied a ticket initially. She was later given the ticket but faces a rebel candidate. According to figures released on Sunday, 1.55 lakh nominations were approved after scrutiny. The total number of candidates stands at 1,07,211, with women outnumbering men. There is 50% reservation for women in Kerala's local bodies. The State Election Commission is expected to release the final number of candidates on Tuesday. The elections, being held in two phases on December 9 and 11, will cover 17,337 wards in 941 gram panchayats, 2267 wards in 152 block panchayats, 346 wards in 14 district panchayats, 3205 wards in 86 municipalities, and 421 wards in six corporations. Votes will be counted on December 13. In a significant development, the CPI(M)-led LDF won 14 wards uncontested in Kannur district, sparking allegations of coercion by local CPI(M) leaders against rival candidates. The CPI(M) has denied the allegations, stating that the Congress failed to submit nomination papers properly.