Cong wins Andhra, throws Left out of Kerala too

16 May 2009

Delivering a crushing blow to the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front in Kerala, the Congress-led United Democratic Front bagged 16 of the 20 Lok Sabha seats in a virtual reversal of the 2004 verdict.

The CPI(M) barely managed to hold on to its traditional fortresses like Palakkad, Alathur, Kasargode and Attingal.

The Congress captured 13 of the 17 seats it contested, while its partners IUML Kerala Congress (M) won two and one seats respectively. The biggest loser was the Communist Party of India, which lost all the four seats it contested.

A prominent winner from the state was former UN undersecretary-general Shashi Tharoor, who some TV channels are tipping for a junior ministerial berth.

The Left rout in Kerala was largely attributed to prolonged feud between two factions in the CPI-M led by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and party state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, and the infighting among front partners before the poll.

Brushing aside the challenge of a four-party alliance led by the Telugu Desam Party as well as the Praja Rajyam Party floated by Telugu film megastar Chiranjeevi, the ruling Congress party not only retained power in Andhra Pradesh but also contributed the highest state-wise share to the United Progressive Alliance's tally in the Lok Sabha.