RETURNS TO STRENGTHEN SATHEESAN'S GRIP ON CONG

WITH local-body elections due later next year, gains made by the UDF in Tuesday's by-elections are being viewed as a morale booster for the opposition front.

- K S SREEJITH @T'Puram

The returns are also seen as strengthening V D Satheesan's grip on the Congress, at a time when a section of party leaders are up in arms over the leader of opposition's alleged attempts to take control of the organisation.

The bypolls saw the UDF win 17 wards and three panchayats held by the LDF. The results have reinforced the Congress claim of a strong anti-incumbency wave against the government, say analysts. "They show that the difference of opinion among Congress leaders has not affected the party at the grassroots level," political commentator Sreekumar Manayil told TNIE.