Election debacle unexpected: Oommen Chandy

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

Talking to mediapersons here, he said the UDF accepted the people's verdict and would discharge its duties as a responsible Opposition.

Mr Chandy said 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 had been 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.

Mr Chandy said the UDF government had succeeded in setting up a development agenda for the state and no one could change it now.

Mr Chandy, who was elected from Pudupally for the 9th consecutive term, said that he was thankful to his voters for electing him with an all-time record margin of over 19,000 votes.

UNI VST MDS/DK1423