The polling was necessitated in Aruvikkara constituency which fell vacant after former speaker G Kartikeyan's death. An estimated 74.4 per cent turnout was recorded for the bypoll where Kerala's ruling UDF and opposition CPI(M)-headed LDF are locked in a stiff contest.
In a three-cornered contest, UDF candidate KS Sabarinath, younger son of Karthikeyan, took on former Speaker and ex-minister M Vijaykumar (LDF) and former union minister, O Rajagopal fielded by BJP.
The bypoll is a litmus test for both the Fronts as panchayat polls are to be held later this year and Assembly elections are just a year away
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said the poll outcome would be a referendum on the government's performance during the past four years while the opposition was confident that the electorate would deal a heavy blow to the ruling Front which was facing various allegations
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