![[FILE] Congress and CPI(M) flags | PTI](https://img.theweek.in/content/dam/week/news/india/images/2018/7/23/congress-cpim-bengal-pti.jpg.image.340.191.jpg "[FILE] Congress and CPI(M) flags | PTI")
As counting progressed, it is advantage Congress alliance UDF, which has retained one and is leading in two of the five assembly constituencies where bypolls were held in Kerala. The ruling CPI(M)-led LDF is leading in the rest two constituencies.
UDF's T.J. Vinod has won from the Ernakulam constituency, retaining the seat for the Congress alliance. Vinod won by 3,673 votes against LDF-backed independent candidate Manu Roy.
Thiruvananthapuram Mayor and LDF candidate V.K. Prasanth is leading from Vatiyoorkavu against UDF's K. Mohan Kumar by 11,567 votes, his party colleague K.U. Janeeshkumar is ahead of UDF candidate by 7,801 votes in Konni.
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In Aroor, UDF candidate Shanimol Usman is leading by 1,665 votes against nearest rival Manu C. Pulickal of the LDF.
In Kasaragod's Manjeshwaram, Congress alliance IUML's candidate M.C. Kamaruddin has established a lead of over 9,300 votes. However, what is interesting is that BJP candidate Ravisha Tantri Kumar has emerged as Kamaruddin's nearest rival, pipping LDF's Shankar Rai to a distant third.
The bypolls to the five assembly constituencies in Kerala were held on October 21.
