Thiruvanathapuram: Congress-led ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) is heading for a rout in Kerala, conceding ground to Communist party of India-Marxist (CPM) led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in 18 of the 20 Lok Sabha seats and also in crucial Assembly by poll in Wadakkanchery Assembly seat where Electricity Minister K Muraleedharan is trailing behind his CPM opponent.

Trends from across the State showed the Congress, which contested 17 seats, was slightly ahead only in Mavelikkara where All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary Ramesh Chennithala is the party aspirant.

Elections 2004-Where is India heading...
Political Parties in India

In a surprising trend, IUML candidate K P A Majeed is trailing by over 16,000 votes in Manjery, where the League had won unfailingly since 1952.

However, in nearby Ponnani IUML all India general secretary E Ahmed had established a comfortable lead over his CPI rival P P Suneer.

The BJP's hope of opening account in the State is unlikely to materialise as the party nominees are way behind their rivals in all seats including the State capital where Union Minister O Rajagopal is the party nominee.

The Congress nominees losing ground include Karunakaran's daughter Padmaja Venugopal in Mukundapuram and four sitting MPs.

Eight LDF sitting MPs are leading in their respective constituencies.