The victory of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate at the lone bypoll to Kerala’s Neyyattinkara assembly constituency is a severe bodyblow to the CPM and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) because the latter had so much riding on its outcome. One, the seat belonged to the CPM and the election was necessitated by the resignation of the sitting MLA of the party and his overnight defection to the UDF. The same candidate has fought against the CPM and retained his seat.