NEW DELHI: Keeping alive Kerala’s tradition of ousting the government in every election, the Congress-led UDF suffered a stunning rout, which its leader and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said he had never expected.Cricketer-politician Sreesanth, contesting his first election, loses
“This is a vote against the corrupt and those who failed to protect the dignity of women,” said an elated Achuthanandan, eyeing a second term as chief minister.
Based at Palakkad, CPI-M veteran and former chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan called it a wave in favour of the Left Democratic Front (LDF).As early as Thursday, Chandy appeared confident that the UDF would somehow retain power, beating back a strong challenge from the Left led by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).
The UDF suffered a huge setback in districts like Kollam and Thrissur besides Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram.Former central minister and BJP veteran O. Rajagopal maintained his lead in Nemom constituency in the capital district. If he wins, he will be the first BJP member to enter the Kerala assembly.
A total of 1,203 contestants were in the fray. Most exit polls had predicted a Left victory.
An apparently shattered Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi said the party will work “harder” to gain the trust of the people. “We will work harder till we win the confidence and trust of the people,” he tweeted after the Congress was voted out in Assam and Kerala.

The LDF is poised for a virtual sweep in Kannur, Thrissur, Alappuzha and Kollam districts, the strongholds of CPI (M) and CPI. The LDF has also managed to make inroads into the UDF strongholds of Ernakulam and Malappuram. But the fortunes of some of the leading candidates stand for upset anytime as they only a thin margin over the nearest rival.
As early as Thursday, Chandy appeared confident that the UDF would somehow retain power, beating back a strong challenge from the Left led by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).
The UDF suffered a huge setback in districts like Kollam and Thrissur besides Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram.

Former Union Minister and BJP veteran O. Rajagopal wins  in Nemom constituency in the capital district. He will be the first BJP member to enter the Kerala assembly.
Former finance minister KM Mani has won in his home constituency of Pala with a margin of over 4,000 votes.Outgoing CM Oommen Chandy, CPM leaders VS Achuthanandan and Pinarayi Vijayan have won with margins of over 20,000 votes.
Adding to the Congress agony is the defeat of Chandy ministers like Shibu Baby John, KP Mohanan and K Babu.

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