When excitement filled the air at Maharaja’s

Much ahead of 8 a.m., even before counting was set to begin, people had started milling about near the entrance of Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam, which was the counting centre of the Kochi Corporation.

By 9 a.m., the largely calm atmosphere was cut short by loud cheers and a show of strength by Left Democratic Front (LDF) workers as postal votes lead was announced. Soon, United Democratic Front (UDF) activists also arrived, waving their flags, and a sloganeering match of sorts unfolded between them.

“We have won, we have won,” a few BJP candidates announced shortly after as current BJP councillor T. Padmakumari’s win from the Island North division was assured.

“Will the Congress get to rule this time?” party workers could be heard asking each other as loud cheers permeated the air. Traffic also slowed as enthusiastic party workers spilled onto the road.

Three hours into the counting of votes, a celebratory, feisty atmosphere had descended, with UDF workers hooting, cheering, and jumping about in immense joy.

Among the cohorts of party revellers were five-year-old Jimsha and her elder sister Jinsha Ratheesh, who had accompanied their father Ratheesh V.P. Ask the sixth-grade student Jinsha why she is here and she tells you coyly, “because Nirmala teacher [a UDF candidate] has won.”

Ambily Edwin D. Silva had arrived at the centre in the morning along with her sister, who is a candidate contesting as an Independent. “My sister said it wasn’t about winning; even if she won by just ten votes, that would mean ten people trusted in her,” said Ms. D Silva.