THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala has come to the rescue of the Congress-led UPA when the NDA almost swept the Lok Sabha elections in the country riding on the “Modi wave”, by electing UDF candidates from 12 of the total 20 constituencies.
The LDF doubled its seat tally by winning in eight constituencies, of which Kannur saw a photo finish. However, the BJP’s hopes of the lotus blooming in the state for the first time were dashed when O Rajagopal eventually lost to the Congress’ Shashi Tharoor after putting up a good fight.
Perhaps the only Chief Minister to have stated before the polls that he will take responsibility for the people’s verdict, Chandy is now poised to have an unchallenged stature, though the ruling front has lost four sitting seats.
“The majority of the people are supporting us. When the Congress has been routed at the national level, people in the state have voted apparently after rating the performance of the state government. I’m happy about that,” Chandy told Express.
“The electorate hasn’t bought even one percent of the LDF propaganda against me and the government for over a year,” he added.
This election is a notable innings for the LDF too, as the front has wrested the Kannur and Thrissur seats from the Congress and sprung surprises in Chalakkudi and Idukki through Independents.
Also, the CPM nominees have retained all their four seats with substantially higher margins except in Kasargod. But that the CPM couldn’t win the Kollam and Vadakara seats is also a pointer.
Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan admitted that though the LDF had doubled its tally in the state, it was not able to effectively mobilise people against corruption in the state and central governments.
Now that the BJP hasn’t won any seat in the state, it remains to be seen how Kerala will be represented in the Union Cabinet to be formed by Narendra Modi.