Election debacle unexpected: Chandy

Kottayam, May 11 (UNI) Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today said the debacle of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in the Assembly elections was 'unexpected'.

The UDF accepts the verdict of the people and will discharge its duties as a responsible Opposition, he told mediapersons here.

Mr Chandy said the reasons for the defeat would be analysed and necessary follow-up actions taken. The Congress and the UDF fought the elections with unity and there was no anti-government feeling.

''Even though the exit polls and other surveys were against the UDF, our calculation was that the UDF would get a simple majority,'' he said.

The UDF government had succeeded in setting up a development agenda for the state and no one could change it now, he added.

Mr Chandy, who was elected from Pudupally for the ninth consecutive term, said he was thankful to his voters for electing him with an all-time record margin of over 19,000 votes.

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