Thrissur : I respect people’s mandate in Puthupally byelection, said CPI(M) State Secretary MV Govindan. Sympathy has been main ground for UDF’s victory. Even so, LDF candidate Jaick C Thomas managed to secure more than 42,000 votes - proof that nothing has quaked LDF footing in Puthupally, said the Party Secretary, adding that the LDF score has been result of good organisational work.
There has occurred massive vote drain for BJP whose gains this time plummeted to just 6558 votes as against it’s score of 19,000 vote in the past. A large chunk of those votes were flipped over to UDF. Given the debacle, necessary evaluations would be made and appropriate measures formulated. Sympathy is but natural following demise of an individual such as Oomen Candy. LDF made no tall claims, said MV Govindan.
The election outcome cannot be viewed as reflection on the government. Election results do not translate as sentiment against government. Shortfalls in vote gains will be examined. Sympathy prevailed above everything else. One cannot claim church believers were wholly on side of UDF. LDF secured votes from all sections.
It is UDF fantasy that things will be same during Lok Sabha elections. Oomen Chandy worked in the constituency for 53 years and his son has won there. This is all that’s happened. Chandy Oomen’s statement saying this is Oomen Chandy’s victory could not more correct, said MV Govindan.
LDF faced the election in respectable manner. No personal issues were raised. The election result holds message that one should exercise caution. All factors will be examined and necessary corrections made, said MV Govindan.
