The Left Paints the Town Red in Kerala, CM Yet To be Declared
The Chief Minister will be declared after a meeting of LDF leaders on 20 May.
(Numbers Courtesy: India Today)
Big Winners and Losers
Kerala continued it’s tradition of anti-incumbency by voting in the Left Democratic Front. The Left won by a whopping 91 seats with the United Democratic Front trailing behind with 47 seats.
The results were in line with the exit polls which had predicted that the Left will slide into power easily with over 80 seats.
CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat said that the party will hold a meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on 20 May to decide who will succeed Oomen Chandy as Kerala’s next Chief Minister. Party veteran VS Achuthanandan and politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan are the biggest contenders for the post.
CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury is also slated to visit Kerala to partake in the decision-making process.
BJP President Amit Shah expressed his happiness over the party opening its account in the state with O Rajagopal’s win at Tiruvanthapuram.
Violent clashes marred the day, with reports of one man being killed and several others injured in two separate bomb explosions in LDF victory rallies in Kannur district.
BJP Polluted the Social and Political Situation: CPI General Secretary
CPI General Secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy commented on the Left’s landslide victory down south saying that the results exceeded his expectations. He accused the BJP of polluting the social and political situation in Kerala by spending huge amounts of money.
On BJP opening its account in Kerala, he said that it does not make much of a difference.
Oomen Chandy To Resign
Chief Minister Oomen Chandy will submit his resignation at 10 am 20 May to the Governor, reported ANI.
Two Bomb Blasts at LDF Rallies in Kannur
One person was killed and eight others injured when two bombs in separate incidents were hurled at LDF’s victory rallies in Kerala’s Kannur district on 19 May reports PTI.
CPI (M) alleged that some RSS-BJP workers came in a vehicle and hurled a bomb at Pinarayi in Dharmadam assembly segment from where CPI-M politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan won.
47-year-old party worker Raveendran (47) was killed and four others were injured when the bomb exploded, police said.
In another incident at Mattannur, a bomb was hurled at a victory rally in which four CPI(M) workers were injured.
Clashes were reported in Kasargod, where police imposed prohibitory orders.
Kanhaiya’s College-mate Mohsin Wins First Election
Kanhaiya Kumar’s college mate and CPI candidate Mohammed Mohsin registered a win from Pattambi constituency in Palakkad in his maiden electoral battle reports PTI.
JNU Student Union President Kanhaiya had campaigned for his friend, who grabbed the seat from the sitting Congress MLA CP Mohammed.
Sitaram Yechury to Visit Kerala Regarding Selection of CM
Sources reported that CPI General Secretary Sitaram Yechury will visit Kerala on 20 May and meet the state committee regarding the selection of Chief Minister.
At a press conference, he thanked the people of Kerala for their faith in the party.
Kerala Rejected Corrupt UDF: Prakash Karat
CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat said that party’s Kerala unit is likely to meet on 20 May to discuss possible candidates for the post of Chief Minister. Party veteran VS Achuthanandan and politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan are the biggest contenders.
He added that the people of Kerala have rejected the corrupt UDF by voting the Left in.
Kerala Assembly Elections
- Left front established clear dominance after winning 91 seats.
- Congress led UDF conceded defeat in Kerala after clinching 47 seats.
- CM Oommen Chandy took full responsibility for the loss.
- BJP opened its account in Kerala with O Rajagopal’s win at Tiruvanthapuram.
- Congress leader Shashi Tharoor promised to be a constructive opposition.
BJP Positive About Results
BJP President Amit Shah said that the party performed well in all five states. He thanked the people for their support. He said that the the unmatched efforts and sacrifice of party workers in Kerala, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu has established a strong party base in these states.
BJP Makes Entry in Kerala
BJP opened its account in Kerala with O Rajagopal’s win at Tiruvanthapuram. He defeated Communist Party of India-Marxist leader V Sivankutty. BJP had never had a MLA or MP in the state. He won with a margin of 8671 votes.
Oommen Chandy Takes Responsibility for UDF’s Loss in Kerala
Former Chief Minister of Kerala and UDF member Oommen Chandy, expressed disappointment after the loss in Kerala. Taking full responsibility of the loss, Chandy said:
Brinda Karat Congratulates Kerala
Celebrations at CPI(M) Office
Congress Concedes Defeat in Kerala
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said “ We are trying to make history here in Kerala, because for five years the UDF has had a remarkable record.”
PC Chacko of Congress conceded defeat for the party in Kerala.
Major Trends
- Chief Minister Oomen Chandy, Puthuppally- Leading
- Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, Haripad- Leading
- Former CM V S Achuthanandan, Malampuzha - Leading
- State BJP President Kummanam Rajasekharan, Vattiyoorkkavu - Trailing
- Son of former CM K Karunakaran and sitting Congress MLA K Muralidharan, Vattiyoorkkavu- Leading
- Founder of Kerala Congress (Mani) and Finance Minister KM Mani, Pala- Leading
Cricketer S Sreesanth, Thiruvananthpuram- Trailing
Keralites Speak Out on Vote Count
Left Crosses Half way Mark
Strong Room Opened in Thiruvananthapuram
Two injured at minor explosion at a Muslim League leader’s house in Vadakara, reports Asianet News.
Sreesanth Optimistic About BJP’s Performance
S Sreesanth of BJP was hopeful about his party winning at least 30 to 35 seats to open its account in Kerala.
Oommen Chandy Offers Prayers at Church
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy visited a church in Thiruvananthapuram before counting of votes began.
The Race for Kerala Assembly
Kerala will decide the fate of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy (UDF) and his arch-rival VS Achuthanandan (LDF) today. The UDF, led by Oommen Chandy of the Congress has ruled the state for the past five years. The LDF winning, would be in line with the state’s track record of alternating between the two fronts for decades now.
Burdened with the weight of corruption charges, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) coalition appears to be trailing behind. BJP might open its account in the state, after all.
The voter turnout in Kerala for the assembly elections was a tad higher at 77.35 percent as compared to 75.12 percent in the previous elections.
Also Read: Kerala Exit Polls Predict Return of the Left
2011 Kerala Assembly Elections Results
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