16th Kerala Assembly to have 11 women MLAs

The 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly will have 11 women MLAs, one less than in the previous House. The outgoing Assembly had 12 women legislators, a majority of them from the CPI(M). CPI(M) legislator Kanathil Jameela passed away in November last year.

This time, the CPI(M) will have only one-woman MLA-O S Ambika, who won from Attingal by a margin of 13,375 votes.

CPI, an LDF ally, will have one woman MLA compared to two in the previous Assembly, with Geetha Gopi winning from Nattika by 7,093 votes.

The Congress, which swept the election, accounts for the highest number of women MLAs in the new Assembly.

Shanimol Osman won from Aroor by 9,324 votes, while Ramya Haridas won from Chirayinkeezhu by 1,422 votes.

Congress candidate Vidya Balakrishnan won from Elathur, defeating minister AK Saseendran by 12,162 votes.

Congress leader Bindhu Krishna won from Kollam by 16,830 votes. Thulasi Teacher won from Kongad by 3,706 votes, and Uma Thomas won from Thrikkakara by 50,211 votes.

Congress leader Usha Vijayan won from Mananthavady after defeating minister OR Kelu by 10,543 votes.

The Indian Union Muslim League will have a woman MLA this time after Fathima Thahiliya won from Perambra by 5,087 votes. In addition, KK Rema of the RMP, a UDF ally, retained her seat from Vadakara by 14,862 votes. The Assembly elections in Kerala were held on April 9.