Kerala Local Polls Phase 2: Over 60% Vote Amidst Political Barbs

• Kerala's second phase of local body elections saw over 60% voter turnout by 3 pm across seven districts.
• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed confidence in the LDF's victory and dismissed the impact of the Sabarimala issue.
• UDF leaders, including from IUML and Congress, predicted a significant win for their front, citing the Sabarimala issue as detrimental to LDF.
• The local body polls are considered a crucial indicator for the upcoming state assembly elections.
• Over 1.53 crore voters are electing representatives for 12,931 wards in 604 local bodies, with results due December 13.

Why It Matters: Kerala local elections foreshadow next year's crucial state assembly polls.