the Congress saw three of its prominent leaders defeated while CPI, the second major constituent of LDF lost all the four seats it contested.Among the major upsets were the defeat of former minsters PJ Kurien in Idukki and Mullapally Ramachandran in Kannur both senior Congress leaders apart from PC Chacko in Kottayam.

Explaining the relatively poor performance of LDF in Kerala, CPI state secretary Veliyam Bhargavan said that the fact that a Third Front did not materialise led to erosion of Left votes. Since national issues dominate the Lok Sabha elections, the electorate in Kerala thought that the Congress was in a better position to check the rise of BJP and other communal forces at the national level.

In general, the LDF was able to retain its earlier position but victory margins had come down considerably in the case of CPM candidates already declared elected, he added.

Former CPI state secretary PK Vasudevan Nair said the defeat of all its candidates in Kerala may not have any repercussions at the national level. Since CPI is a constituent of the LDF, it should also be seen as defeat of the LDF, he added.

The BJP, which hoped to open its account in Kerala, was also disappointed with its main candidate O Rajagopal pushed to the third place in Thiruvananthapuram constituency.

The poll outcome has also proved wrong the CPM theory that there was a secret understanding between the Congress and BJP in Thiruvananthapuram and Mukundapuram constituencies to ensure victory of Rajagopal and K Karunakaran of Congress.