Victory in Palakkad proof of anti-incumbency sentiment: VD Satheesan

Palakkad: The victory in the Palakkad by-election is proof of the anti-incumbency sentiment in the state, said Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan. While speaking to reporters at Palakkad after the announcement of victory of Rahul Mamkootathil on Saturday, Satheesan said that UDF had scored big victories by doubling the victory margin in the previous by-elections as well. “Still, CPM believes that there is no anti-incumbency sentiment in the state. We want them to think like that,”  Satheesan said. 

“The LDF's effort was not to weaken the BJP, but to defeat both Congress and the UDF. The CPI(M) tried to ensure BJP’s victory in Palakkad. This is a victory beyond our expectations. It is a verdict against the joint efforts of BJP and CPI(M). It is a victory for our collective effort. We thank everyone for this huge victory," Satheesan said. 

He also pointed out that the BJP's vote share had decreased compared to the last election. "E. Sreedharan received 50,000 votes last time. When Krishnakumar contested, he got over 38,000 votes. While CPI(M) collapsed in Palakkad, the BJP grew. Ten years ago, the LDF was in second place. Today, they are in third place. It was when CPI(M) collapsed that BJP grew in Palakkad. The UDF was the one that stopped them," Satheesan said.

"This election has given the people a valuable lesson that working together as a team ensures victory. We will continue with our efforts based on this principle. I thank all those who carried out this election with sincerity," he added.

Satheesan also mentioned that they had decided to bring dissident BJP leader Sandeep into Congress a week before. "We had brought him in after receiving a clean chit from CPI(M). After that, CPI(M) forgot everything they had previously said. No one has forgotten the communal poison they spread, including the press releases they issued," he said.