Kerala: UDF leading in all 20 seats as counting progresses

In a major relief to the Congress that is trailing nationally, the UDF is leading in all 20 seats in Kerala. Key candidates including Shashi Tharoor and Rahul Gandhi are leading by comfortable margins from Thiruvananthapuram and Wayanad seats, respectively. This is the first time in near history that such a trend is visible where a party is leading from all the Lok Sabha constituencies in a state.

Election Results 2019 LIVE updates

In 2014, the CPI(M) had won eight seats in Kerala, while the UDF had won from 12 seats. The early trend is a clear indication that the electorate has decided to vote against the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government in Kerala. It is speculated that the CPI(M) government's handling of the Sabarimala issue coupled with the devastating floods last year, has led to sentiments turning against the state government.The CPI(M) will be in a precarious position if it ends up with zero seats in Kerala. 

As opposed to exit polls, the NDA candidates have not made much gains in Kerala. BJP candidates Kummanam Rajasekharan, Suresh Gopi and K. Surendran are trailing in their respective seats. Clearly, the BJP's attempt to politicise the Sabarimala temple issue has not gone well with the electorate of Kerala.