KOCHI: CPM state secretariat member M Swaraj has expressed his response over the party’s defeat in the Thrikkakkara bypolls. Although the politics of development was put forward by the Left government, the people may not have seen it as a matter of concern. However, the vote share has gone up than last time, he said while talking to the media.

‘Wasn't it a place where they lost by 15,000 votes last time. They got a lot of votes. Our vote share has also increased. When a legislator dies, his wife or son who contests election will win almost every time. That is what we call a sympathy wave.

We tried to correct that history. However, the pattern seems to have continued. Interpreting this against the government could lead to wrong conclusions.

As far as governance is assessed, there is no power cut or load shedding in Kerala at present. That happened when the Kochi-Edamon power highway became a reality as part of the activities of the LDF government. We tried to put forward the politics of development in this election. But, on considering the people’s verdict, it is doubtful whether it came under their matter of concern.

Here we have lost the election in which we won 99 seats. But, we have secured 2,500 additional votes. It cannot be said that we lost support. We accept the defeat in this election”, said Swaraj.