The ruling Left-led coalition in Kerala and the opposition were locked in a close contest today in early leads from local body polls seen as a litmus test for parties ahead of assembly elections in the state next year. The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is leading in 402 of 945 Grama Panchayats or village panchayats and the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in 343, making it a tight fight.