Kottayam (Ker):The ruling CPI(M) led LDF won the byelection to Pala assembly constituency, wresting the seat from the opposition Congress led UDF.
LDF candidate Mani C Kappen defeated Jose Tom Pulikkunel of the opposition Congress-led UDF in a closely contested fight.
Kappen, leader of the Nationalist Congress Party, defeated Pulikkunel, a faction leader of the Kerala Congress(M) by 2,943 votes.
Pala was a bastion of the Congress-led UDF, held by veteran leader and former Finance Minister K M Mani for the last five decades.